John Byrd, Detective Protecting Domestic Violence Victims Arrested For Murdering His Wife

John Byrd, Detective Protecting Domestic Violence Victims, Arrested After Admitting To Murdering His Wife

John Byrd, a detective with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office who was passionate about protecting domestic violence victims has been arrested for the murder of his wife in their Mesa home on Wednesday and hiding the body from the kids!

A woman called the cops around 5 p.m. to report her missing friend, who didn’t attend a gym class they had together, adding that she hadn’t seen her all day. according to Arizona’s Family.

The woman even texted one of her friend’s children, and was told they’d seen no trace of her and that her bedroom door was locked. She eventually discovered that her friend’s husband, John Byrd, left the home around noon and hadn’t returned.

According to reports, Mesa police responded to Byrds’ home and found a woman’s body on the floor of the master bedroom! Immediately, the search was on for John, who wasn’t at home or answering his phone. He was later found driving his wife’s car in the area of Power and Warner roads, and the cops took him in.

The husband told detectives that “he has had some mental issues lately and has been very stressed about his home and work life,” per court documents. Byrd told investigators that he and his wife got into a heated argument around 6 a.m. and that during the debate, “a switch just flipped.”

He also told police he put his hands around his wife’s neck and strangled her to death! What’s worse!? He left her in the bedroom and locked the door so their children wouldn’t see her. With a confession like that, Byrd was arrested right on the spot.

Byrd was a detective with the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections for five years before joining MCAO. “I’m surprised he made a statement to the police,” said defense attorney Russ Richelsoph, who is not involved in the case.

Richelsoph noted that officers typically ask for a lawyer if charged with a crime. He adds that Byrd’s medical leave and mental health issues will likely be factors in the case.