An Australian champion jiu-jitsu fighter is the subject of an international manhunt after US authorities issued a warrant for his arrest over a serious sexual assault allegation. Izaak Joshua Michell, 27, is believed to be evading capture by living out of a van on the New South Wales north coast.
Wanted in Texas with a Bounty on His Head
Hays County Crime Stoppers in Texas has placed Michell on its Most Wanted list, offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading directly to his arrest or indictment. The warrant accuses him of sexual assault, a second-degree felony.
Deputy Mark Andrews of Hays County confirmed the active investigation, stating that additional charges may follow. The public warning urges caution, noting that Michell is a trained martial arts expert.
Alleged Victim Breaks Silence, Sparking Further Claims
The case gained significant attention after Hannah Griffith, a fellow jiu-jitsu athlete and three-time Pans No-Gi gold medallist, shared a detailed statement on social media on 29 December. Griffith, 23, alleged the assault occurred just one week before she was due to compete at the World Championships.
"I carried a great deal of shame, and I was absolutely terrified that no one would believe me. That fear almost kept me silent," she wrote. Her decision to speak out prompted several other women to come forward with new allegations against Michell.
From Champion to Fugitive: A Career Unravels
Prior to the allegations, Michell had a highly successful martial arts career. His accolades included:
- Winning the 2022 ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials.
- Victory at the 2022 Who’s Next Tournament.
- Becoming the inaugural Subversion Jiu-Jitsu Invitational light heavyweight champion in March 2025.
This rapid fall from grace has seen swift consequences. Subversion has stripped him of his championship title, and the Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu gym in Austin, Texas, where he trained, has severed all ties. Co-founder Gordon Ryan stated Michell was "no longer training or affiliated in any way with our gym."
Current Whereabouts and Public Appeal
Despite the warrant, Michell was seen in Australia in November for his sister's wedding in Adelaide. More recently, he is believed to be living in a blue-grey Suzuki APV van. He was reportedly spotted four days ago at the North Wall car park in Ballina, NSW.
One local who claimed to have encountered him there posted online, saying he gave them "a really bad feeling" and made them "extremely uncomfortable." Other sources suggest he has also been seen in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and in Byron Bay.
Michell is described as approximately 5ft 11in (180cm) tall, weighing around 85kg, with tattoos on his upper left arm and left elbow and forearm. Hays County Crime Stoppers is urging anyone with information to contact them anonymously via their official channels.
