Mesa, Arizona (AZ Family) — A Maricopa County Prosecutor's Office (MCAO) detective was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murdering his wife in their Mesa home.

John C. Byrd III is charged with second-degree murder.

Around 5 p.m., a woman called Mesa police to report that her friend didn't show up to the gym class she usually attends and couldn't be reached.

She also texted her friend's children, who replied that they hadn't seen each other all day and that their bedroom door was closed.

The woman also learned that her friend's husband, Byrd, had left the house around noon and had not returned.

She told police she then picked up the couple's three children and brought them to her home.

Mesa police responded to the Byrds' home on East Irwin Avenue. Baseline and Crismon Roadand found a woman's body on the floor of the master bedroom.

Police then began searching for Byrd, but he was not at home and did not answer his phone.

He was later spotted driving his wife's car. power road and warner road and was detained.

Byrd was then transported to Mesa Police Headquarters for questioning. According to court documents, Byrd told detectives that he had been suffering from mental health issues recently and was experiencing a lot of stress in his home and work life.

According to the report, the suspect told investigators that he and his wife got into a heated argument around 6 a.m. and that during the argument, “a switch went off.”

Byrd told police he put his hands around his wife's neck and strangled her, documents said.

She said the man then left her in the bedroom and locked the door behind her so her children couldn't see her.

Byrd was arrested after being questioned.

“I'm not surprised he confessed. He knew full well he was done,” said a former colleague of Mr. Bird's who requested anonymity.

Documents say MCAO staff also went to the house that day to pick up a work truck because Byrd was on medical leave.

“This shows the hidden nature of domestic violence. You never know what happens behind closed doors,” said a former colleague of Mr. Byrd.

The County Attorney's Office released the following statement late Thursday afternoon:

“MCAO Officer John Byrd has been arrested by the Mesa Police Department on suspicion of being involved in his wife's death. Mesa PD continues the investigation. The Pinal County Attorney's Office will handle prosecution. MCAO is terminating Mr. Byrd's employment. We are proceeding with the procedure.

If you have additional questions, please contact Mesa PD and/or PCAO.

We at MCAO extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Byrd's children and extended family.

A post profiling Byrd during Black History Month last year said the MCAO worked in the investigative division of the department's Family Violence and Justice Western Division.

“He was very passionate about helping crime victims seek justice,” said a former colleague of Byrd's.

Prior to joining MCAO, he worked as a detective with the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections for five years, according to the post.

“I was surprised that this person even gave a statement to police,” said Russ Richelsoff, a criminal defense attorney who is not connected to the case.

Richelsoff said that when law enforcement officers are charged with a crime, it is common for them to immediately request an attorney.

He said the fact that Byrd was off work sick and had talked about mental health issues was likely to be a factor in future litigation.

“Guilt isn't really the issue. It's more about why this happened. Can you explain this? Are there mitigating factors that would justify a reduced sentence?” Richelsoff said. “Based on what I'm reading, I think that's the case here.”

Richelsoff said Byrd's background has heightened national interest in the case, and he expects it to be a high-profile case from start to finish.

“They want to know that the police who enforce the law are following the law, and if they're not, they're being held accountable,” Richelsoff said.

Byrd's bond was set at $750,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, August 7th.

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