Pottawatomie County Family Told Plea Deal Gives Daughter’s Killer Life Without Parole, Instead Of Death Penalty

A mother’s fight for justice for her daughter was cut short this week.

More than a year after Makayla Maeve was murdered, her family tells us a plea deal has been reached to give her alleged killer life in prison without the possibility of parole, instead of the state seeking the death penalty.

In September 2023, Frank Byers reported his wife Makayla missing, but her body was found a week later, shot to death, and wrapped in carpet, in a culvert near the couple’s home in Macomb.

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Byers, who maintains his innocence, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife. 

Byers appeared in court Friday morning, where a plea date was set for later this month. Makayla’s family says this wasn’t the outcome they were hoping for. 

“I want the death penalty. An eye for an eye. He took her life so he shouldn't be able to have any privileges, he shouldn't have a life,” said Barbara Harper, Makayla’s mother. “She was ripped from us, we didn't even get to say goodbye.”

Barbara Harper says she was told this week that the Pottawatomie County District Attorney accepted a plea deal to give Byers life without parole, instead of seeking the death penalty.

“Monday when we were told they were going to take the plea, I felt like I lost her again, I felt like it just happened all over,” said Harper. “But I know they have their reasons why they took the plea. It doesn't make it any better, it doesn't make me happy at all, it is what it is. I guess there's really nothing we can do about it.”

After maintaining his innocence over the last year and a half, the sudden plea deal leaves Barabara with more questions than answers. 

“Why all of the sudden is he wanting a plea deal of all things life without parole? Who is he covering up for? Who is he trying to protect?” questioned Harper. 

Makayla’s family has believed from the beginning that others were involved in her death. She was hoping any plea deal would involve Byers giving up information that would lead to additional arrests.

“That he would have to give some evidence, but no that didn't happen,” said Harper.

While the ending to Byers' case isn’t the outcome that Makayla’s family was hoping for, Barbara says she will keep fighting for justice for her daughter. 

“If it was one of us, Makayla would have fought tooth and nail, she would not have given up so for this to come to an end like this I feel like we've just thrown in the towel and given up but we didn't have the final say we didn't get to make the final decision,” said Harper. “We want Makayla’s name to be remembered, we want her to be remembered for who she was, what she stood for. Its’ her that needs to be remembered and not what was done to her but who she was as an individual."

Byers is expected back in court on Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. Nothing is set in stone until Byers officially enters his plea in court.

We spoke with the Pottawatomie County District Attorney who would not confirm whether a deal was made.