Who Is Frank Byers & Where Is He Now? 2025 Update & Background
Frank Byers is a resident of Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, and the husband of the late Makayla Meave. The two met online and reconnected through Facebook. They married in June 2022 and lived on a remote 10-acre property in Macomb. Byers had four young daughters from a previous relationship, and Makayla, who had adopted two teens from foster care, took an active role in raising his children.
Byers presented himself publicly as a father and husband, but beneath the surface, the relationship was strained. According to Makayla’s family, she discovered Byers was having affairs and briefly separated from him. Despite this, she returned to the property to continue raising his daughters, moving into a shed on the premises. Makayla’s relatives later described signs of abuse that had gone unnoticed at the time—emotional manipulation, threats, and physical bruising.
During the investigation into Makayla’s disappearance, it became clear that Byers had been attempting to start a new relationship. Investigators later revealed that he had been sending affectionate messages to another woman, assuring her that his relationship with Makayla was over and expressing a willingness to do “anything and everything” to make her feel secure. This behavior formed part of the motive in what prosecutors would call a premeditated killing.
- “Tracker Dakota Black”: 48 Hours Reports on Makayla Meave Homicide November 15 2025
- Who Was Makayla Meave & What Happened to Her? 2025 Update & Background
- Who Is Lt. Dakota Black? 2025 Update & Background
The Murder, Arrest, and Charges
Makayla Meave was reported missing by Byers on September 16, 2023. He told law enforcement she had gone on a date with another man. Five days later, her body was discovered wrapped in a carpet and stuffed into a culvert about 2,000 feet from their home. She had been shot twice in the head. Physical evidence, including shell casings and blood on Byers’ boots, along with manipulated text messages, pointed to him as the prime suspect.
Authorities believe that Byers killed Makayla in the shed where she had been living, then tried to cover up the crime by creating a false story about her leaving voluntarily. He allegedly used Makayla’s phone and social media accounts to craft a fictional narrative, while privately texting another woman about his future plans with her.
On October 25, 2023, Frank Byers was arrested and charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Unauthorized removal of a dead body
- Desecration of a human corpse
Initially, the Pottawatomie County District Attorney sought the death penalty. The evidence against him was overwhelming, including forensic links, inconsistencies in his statements, and digital records that contradicted his alibi.
Conviction and Current Status
Byers ultimately entered a guilty plea in January 2025 as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The decision was supported by Makayla’s family, who preferred avoiding a long trial and appellate process. District Attorney Adam Panter said the plea guaranteed Byers would never again live as a free man.
Frank Byers is now serving his sentence in an Oklahoma state prison. His exact facility placement has not been publicly disclosed, but he will remain incarcerated for life. Under the terms of his plea deal, he is ineligible for parole, commutation, or early release.
Though Byers has been convicted and sentenced, the investigation remains active. Authorities continue to probe the possibility that he had help in disposing of Makayla’s body. The U.S. Secret Service has been involved in analyzing encrypted data from his phones. Makayla’s family has stated publicly they believe others were involved and are calling for further accountability.
Public and Family Response
Makayla’s family has expressed disappointment that Byers’ plea deal did not offer full closure. They believe his guilty plea was an attempt to shield others who may have played a role in the aftermath of the murder. Her parents, Barbara and Scott Harper, continue to speak out, calling on the public to come forward with any additional information.
Frank Byers, once viewed as a grieving husband, was ultimately exposed as the architect of a calculated and cruel crime. His conviction marks the end of a legal process but not the end of the family’s pursuit of justice for Makayla. The case remains a stark reminder of how domestic violence can escalate and of the importance of identifying early warning signs.
