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Elizabeth Byrd

Age : 43

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 07/31/2024

Location : Crimson Creek neighborhood at Baseline Road at Crismon

City : Mesa

County : Maricopa

State : Arizona

Agency : Maricopa County Attorney’s Office

Officer(s) :John C. Byrd III

Cause of Death : Asphyxiation

Event : Strangled to death by off-duty husband, detective Byrd

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/31/2024, 43-year-old Elizabeth Byrd was killed inside her home in the Crimson Creek neighborhood near Baseline Road and Crismon Road in Mesa. Investigators alleged that during an argument, her husband, Detective John C. Byrd III of the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, strangled her. Authorities said Byrd then locked her body inside a bedroom and left the residence, leaving the couple's three children at the home.
After family members became concerned and requested a welfare check, officers entered the residence and found Elizabeth Byrd dead. Investigators later located John C. Byrd III driving his wife's vehicle and took him into custody without incident.
According to court documents, Byrd told investigators that he "flipped a switch" during the altercation. He was charged with second-degree murder and child abuse. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office led the homicide investigation because the accused was a law enforcement officer employed by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. As of the latest public reporting, the criminal case remained pending.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.themesatribune.com/news/maricopa-county-detective-allegedly-killed-wife-in-mesa-home/article_5943fddc-511e-11ef-aa78-075c6aeb4281.html
https://abcnews.go.com/US/detective-switch-flipped-strangled-wife-police/story?id=112518167
https://abc7chicago.com/post/detective-locks-wifes-body-room-leaves-3-kids-home-alone/15139939/
https://www.azfamily.com/2024/08/01/phoenix-area-detective-accused-murdering-wife-mesa/
https://ktar.com/story/5588593/mcao-detective-arrested-on-second-degree-murder-in-death-of-wife-in-mesa/