Community Remembers Macomb Mother, Teacher Killed In Wake Of Husband’s Arrest

A Pottawatomie County man is behind bars after a month-long investigation. Pottawatomie County deputies arrested Frank Byers in the death of his wife Makayla Meave-Byers on Wednesday. However, for her friends and family, the arrest is just the beginning.

“Makayla was a piece we didn't know was missing now she is a void that won't be filled,” said Kathy Holsonbake, a 4th-grade teacher at Macomb Elementary School.

Holsonbake was Makayla’s friend and co-worker at the school. She says the classroom isn’t the same without her. “The kids miss her, the kids really miss her,” she said.

Makayla was a teacher’s aide working to become a teacher when she was killed last month. Investigators say she was shot to death, her body was found wrapped in carpet in a culvert near her home in Macomb. “Losing Makayla while it hurts it's never gonna stop, it will change but it's never going to stop,” Holsonbake said. 

Pottawatomie County deputies arrested Makayla’s husband, Frank Byers, in connection with her death. A relief for her son, Brian Vinson. “He's no longer a free man and I don't believe he ever will be again,” Vinson son.

However, Brian says he feels there's more to the investigation. “I don't believe all the people that helped have been punished,” he said.

The sheriff's office says it's looking into that possibility. “We just gotta get back to work on the grind to make sure we get this case finished out and see it through to the end,” said Undersheriff Travis Dinwiddie with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office.

Until then, Makayla's loved ones rely on each other and the outpouring of support from the community. “She had a name she had a voice; she means something to everyone and she's not going to be replaced,” said Holsonbake. 

Byers remains behind bars on a complaint of first-degree murder.

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