Who Was Makayla Meave & What Happened to Her? 2025 Update & Background
Makayla Fay Meave was a devoted mother, daughter, sister and educator whose life centered on caring for children. At thirty years old, she lived in rural Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, where she worked as a teacher’s aide and supported a blended family of six children. Two of the children were teenagers she had adopted out of foster care, and the others were the young daughters of her husband, Frank Byers. Family members consistently described her as nurturing, patient and deeply committed to the kids in her home.
Makayla’s family recalled that motherhood shaped every choice she made. She was known for creating stability, compassion and structure for children who needed it. Her sister Andria remembered her as someone who placed the needs of others before her own. Her mother, Barbara Harper, said Makayla had a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to provide a safe home. Those close to her said she was gentle, steady and protective of the children in her care.
The story of her adult life involved challenges as well. Makayla married Byers in June 2022, after reconnecting with him on Facebook. Their relationship, however, grew strained when she learned he was involved with other women. Despite the tension, she returned to his property after a brief separation because she wanted to continue raising his daughters. When she moved back, she was living in a shed near the main house, still helping to care for the girls.
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What Happened to Her
Makayla was last seen on September 15, 2023. Her husband reported her missing the next day, claiming she had left with an unidentified man in a white pickup truck. That explanation raised concerns among investigators early on, who noted inconsistencies in his statements and behavior. A large search began with law enforcement, drones, volunteers and members of her family combing the wooded areas around the couple’s ten-acre property.
Five days later, on September 20, 2023, her cousin found her body in a drainage culvert roughly two thousand feet from the home. She had been shot twice in the head and wrapped in a piece of carpet. She was found wearing a red shirt but no pants or underwear, and investigators believed she had been killed in the shed where she had been living.
Evidence collected from the property included a recently fired .22 caliber rifle, .22 shell casings stamped with an “F,” blood on Byers’ boots and text messages that investigators said were sent by Byers from Makayla’s phone in an attempt to fabricate a story about a date with another man. Additional messages showed he had been pursuing a new relationship and was willing to “do anything” to reassure the other woman.
On October 25, 2023, Byers was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, unauthorized removal of a body and desecration of a corpse. Prosecutors later alleged that he killed her because he wanted to start a relationship with another woman and saw Makayla as an obstacle.
The Outcome and Continuing Questions
In January 2025, facing a possible death penalty trial, Byers entered a plea agreement and admitted guilt. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors said the plea ensured certainty, avoiding years of appeals.
Makayla’s family, however, believes her story is not fully resolved. They have expressed concern that Byers did not act alone, and investigators continue to examine data from one of his phones to identify any potential accomplices. The case remains open for leads.
Makayla’s parents, Barbara and Scott Harper, now work to raise awareness about domestic violence. They plan to launch a foundation in her name—Makayla’s Purple Butterfly—to help others identify signs of manipulation, threats and isolation that can occur within abusive relationships.
Her Legacy
Those who knew Makayla remember a woman devoted to children, generous to her family and committed to creating a stable, loving home. Her death revealed the dangers she faced quietly, and her family hopes that sharing her story will prevent other tragedies.
Makayla’s life reflects compassion, responsibility and resilience. Her family continues to seek full accountability for everyone involved and to honor her memory by helping others recognize risks before they escalate.
