Authorities in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, investigated the September 2023 disappearance and death of Makayla Meave, a 30-year-old teacher's aide from Macomb. Following a five-day search involving local residents and law enforcement, Meave's body was discovered in a culvert approximately half a mile from her residence. Her husband, Frank Byers, was identified as a suspect and was later charged with her murder.
Meave was reported missing by Byers on Saturday, September 16, 2023. According to statements Byers gave to investigators and family members, his wife had left their property the previous evening on a date with an unidentified man in a white truck. At the time, the couple was headed for divorce and living in different structures on their 10-acre property. During initial interviews, Byers told Deputy Dustin Richardson that the couple had an open marriage.
Investigators noted inconsistencies in Byers' account and behavior during the search. While community members searched nearby woods in heavy rain, Lt. Dakota Black reported that Byers did not participate in any search parties. During a search of Meave's residence, Deputy Richardson discovered spent .22 caliber shell casings. Byers claimed Meave used a rifle to shoot at coyotes, but the deputy observed that the firearm, which Byers had moved to his own house, appeared to have been recently fired.
The medical examiner determined Meave died from gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators also found records of Byers communicating with other women on dating apps on the day of the disappearance and the days following.
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the case and issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert to surrounding districts. For the family of the victim, including her mother and sister, the immediate impact included the loss of a primary caregiver for two adopted children and four stepchildren.
Residents in the rural Macomb area, which has a population of approximately 24 people, experienced an increased police presence throughout late 2023. The investigation transitioned into a formal criminal case following the autopsy results and the recovery of evidence.