MCAO detective charged with murdering wife
According to court documents, John Byrd told detectives that he “flipped a switch” during a heated argument with his wife. Byrd is a detective with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. FOX 10’s Nicole Klacean reports.
Mesa, Arizona. – A Mesa man has been arrested on suspicion of killing his wife, according to court records.
The alleged crime first came to light after the victim’s friend reported her missing to police, documents said.
Here are the details:
Who are the suspects?
John Byrd (Courtesy of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Court documents identify the suspect as 47-year-old John C. Byrd III.
The documents do not list the suspect’s employer, but Maricopa County Attorney’s Office officials confirmed Byrd was one of their employees.
“MCAO is in the process of terminating Mr. Byrd’s employment,” the statement read in part.
In a 2023 news release, MCAO officials identified Byrd as a detective with the agency. That news release, which is no longer accessible on the website, listed Byrd as a detective in the department’s Family Violence and Justice Western Division Investigations Division.
what happened?
Neighbors shocked by criminal charges
A Maricopa County Attorney’s Office detective is accused of strangling his wife. FOX 10’s Nicole Klasean spoke to neighbors to get their thoughts.
According to court documents, the incident happened at a home in the Baseline and Crismon areas.
According to investigators, police officers were dispatched to the home on July 31st after receiving a report of a possible missing person.
“The Rapporteur (RP) said: [the victim] “The victim was not seen or heard from for most of the day, and did not attend physical education class, which she usually attends with him,” court documents read in part. [the victim’s son] With my son through text message [his two sibling] He had not seen the victim all day and the bedroom door was locked. ”
Investigators said Byrd left the home around noon that day. Officers at the scene eventually conducted a welfare check and found the victim dead on the bedroom floor.
“There were a lot of police cars here all night. There was police tape and there was a search,” said a man who lives in the area. “It’s heartbreaking and tragic.”
Detectives said they later spotted Byrd driving a vehicle registered to the victim in the area of Warner Road and Power Road. He was then taken to Mesa Police Headquarters, where he was given his driver’s license and questioned. miranda caveat.
“The defendant stated that he had recently been suffering from mental health problems and was experiencing great stress in his home and work life,” investigators wrote. “The defendant stated that he got into a heated argument with the victim. [July 31] At about 6 a.m., the defendant said during an argument, “a switch flipped” and he put his hands around the victim’s neck and strangled her.
Detectives said Byrd left the victim in the bedroom and locked the bedroom door so the children couldn’t see.
Investigators said, “The defendant stated that he knew what he did was wrong.”
What is the suspect accused of?
Detective accused of murdering wife appears in court
Detective John Bird of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office was charged with strangling his wife. He told police he “flipped a switch” during a heated argument, according to court documents. MCAO officials said, “We are moving toward terminating Mr. Byrd’s employment.”
According to court documents, Byrd is charged with second-degree murder (ARS 13-1104A1).
The Pinal County Attorney’s Office will be in charge of prosecuting Byrd, according to the MCAO.
