how did melissa byers die

"), Also, the guy I think was Byers said that the last time he saw his son, he was giving him a beating because the son had been riding his bicycle in the street or something like that. Metz advised that Byers told him it could be bought for $50 on the street. Beyond the black-and-white print of the newspaper, there was a movement brewing. (Chief Medical Examiner). He said, J.B., youre going home, man, youre going home.. The Byerses, who did not respond to requests for an interview, have also sought a restraining order against the Kingsburys. Waser described the subsequent events as follows: "After signing the request he apparently passed out and fell towards the counter. Sheila Nevins, the HBO exec who pushed for Berlinger and Sinofsky to make that initial trip to Arkansas, is most proud of the companys willingness to let her finance three documentaries over 18 years without knowing where they would go. No physical evidence was produced linking any of the accused teen-agers with the crime, and no motive for the killings was introduced other than that the murders had been part of an demonic ritual. Mara Leveritt, a journalist who followed the case throughout the 1990s and wrote the 2002 book Devils Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three, calls the strain of Christianity that runs through the region very literal and says that even her children faced harassment as teenagers for playing Dungeons & Dragons and listening to Ozzy Osbourne. It was born out of genuine admiration for the fact that these guys took the time out of their lives to dedicate, to go down to Arkansas, to build a website, to really step out of their lives, Berlinger says. Well, perhaps not nobody. He's in disguise!" "[12], Waser met with Sheriff Powell, Chief Burton, and Investigator Witt to discuss searching the Byers' residence. Like everyone else who was familiar with the case, they wanted to know who committed the crimes, but their main goal was advocacy, not using the opportunity to play investigators. Dan Stidham, the original attorney for Misskelley, who would also work on Baldwins and Echols appeals, says he has the answer. At the time of her youngest son's murder in May of 1993, Melissa was married to John Mark Byers. Brenner tells Joyce that six people in total have been taken by The . "[3], On March 29th, 1996, at 3:30pm, Ryan and his girlfriend, Amanda, were dropped off from school at the Byers' residence. He had, in fact, passed it, but it was after that that Misskelley gave his damning confession.z. BabyCenter. Melissa and John Mark Byers were having problems in their marriage in 1996. It tested positive for marijuana and for hydromorphone, the synthetic narcotic more commonly known as Dilaudid. Ryan asked if his mother was alright and Byers told him he did not know. Metz responded by asking Byers why he didnt call an ambulance. In addition, they seized six types of medication that had been prescribed for Melissa Byers. Melissa is the estate planning paralegal at Legacy Law Center. The person taking the statement felt that James was implying he was there and witnessed this. While Byers went into the local gas company to conduct some business, another boy passed by the truck and he and the boy who was riding with Byers exchanged words. The boy on foot then proceeded to whats known as the old Hardy bridge over the Spring River, where he joined a group of four other friends, ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old. Powell told Witt that a woman named Melissa Byers had been taken by ambulance from her residence in Cherokee Village to Eastern Ozarks Regional Hospital. What was strange was that, while the drug showed up in Melissa Byers urine, suggesting recent use, it was not found in her blood, which would be expected of a lethal agent. They formed the organization Proclaim Justice, a nonprofit that reinvestigates crimes with the hopes of freeing innocent people. Founded 1974, the Arkansas Times is a lively, opinionated source for news, politics & culture in Arkansas. It wasnt hard for him to imagine his teenage self ending up in Echolss situation. A tattoo of a heart and scroll were present on her right upper back, with the name Christopher written in the scroll. Waser advised that it was unusual for a 40-year-old woman to pass away and an autopsy would be recommended to determine the cause. Melissa Byers body was there, wrapped in carpeting, plastic, sheets and clothing, court records said. But most of defense lawyers efforts to bring that information before the jury never got out of the judges chambers. Bakken and Sauls say they tried to avoid offering theories about the case publicly, opting instead to try to work through official channels. endobj By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. The shooting Tuesday led to an hours long standoff at the house in the 2300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard. Melissa Byers was only 40 years old. I said, Im going to send some kids down there., Those kids turned out to be Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, the young documentarians who had recently completed the acclaimed Brothers Keeper, a film chronicling a death and the resulting trial in a small upstate New York village. The right thoracic puncture mark and the right wrist puncture mark were both covered by Band-Aids. )+B]{uApptJ'\`\R@=]%m=VWrZ$K" She was laying on her back and was not breathing. (Intriguingly, a second crime occurred two weeks ago at the home of Brenda Atwood, the woman whose house the Byerses are charged with burglarizing. None of the initial trio behind WM3.orgnor their friend Lisa Fancher, who later became a key part of the efforthad ever considered themselves an activist to that point. (Maines briefly became a part of the story when Terry Hobbs, stepfather of another of the victims, sued her for defamation after she wrote a blog post pointing out that physical evidence at the crime scene potentially pointed at him and not the three convicted for the crime. The two reportedly fell asleep and Byers awoke to find Melissa unresponsive. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. It will be interesting to see if the police come up with anything on Mrs.Byers' death, and if so, if they will possibly re-open investigations intothe murders of the three boys. Speaking by phone last month, he comes across, in many ways, like the person Berlinger says he encountered in prison in 1994: polite, deferential, soft-spoken. She threw up some liquid. Maybe, maybe not, but there's no evidence (aside from that knife, which never underwent full DNA testing as far as I know). At the time of her youngest son's murder in May of 1993, Melissa was married to John Mark Byers . Yes, the West Memphis Three are out of prison, but as long as they are considered guilty in the eyes of the state, the case is closed, meaning no further investigation can occur. Interesting article, although I do wish they had released more info (even though I understand why they didn't). Jason Baldwin had no idea what was happening when a fellow inmate at the supermax prison in Varner, Arkansas, woke him up early one morning in 1997. She said that Byers and Mandy had been hiding drugs in the trunk of Byers' car. The problem is we have sent this knife off and had it examined and it has the blood type of Christophers on it., Byers responded, Well, Gary, I dont have any idea how it could be on there.. When they searched online, they found little to no information about the case. For 48 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond with your support, we can do even more. They werent telling me I was lying, even if they may have been saying that in their minds. In July, John Mark Byers was involved in an incident in which a group of teen-agers fought while Byers reportedly stood watch with a rifle to make sure the fight went on. The concept of citizen investigations intrigues Berlinger just as much as it did in the 1990s, though today hes often more concerned with the moral implications. Finally, a month after the murders, three West Memphis teen-agersJessie Lloyd Misskelley, 17; Charles Jason Baldwin, 16; and Damien Wayne Echols, 18were arrested and charged with the crimes. Armchair detectives of today, I think a lot of them dabble in conspiracy theory, Berlinger says. You need corroborating evidence.. He stated he continued CPR until the EMTs arrived and took over. Christopher Mark Byers. Melissa Byers, Self: Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills. By the time the Byerses had been in Cherokee Village six months, police had been summoned to their residence at least eight times. Not everyone believes that the West Memphis Three are innocent of the killings of Michael Moore, Stevie Branch, and Christopher Byers. Baldwin remembers the dire circumstances laid out during the call. In May of that year, police discovered the bodies of Michael Moore, Stevie Branch, and Christopher Byers in the Robin Hood Hills, a small wooded area near the I-40/I-55 exchange. . The veteran actress died on November 11, 2014, after a bout with cancer just five days after the sitcom aired her final voice appearance in season 8, episode 8 titled "The Prom Equivalency." Byers was asked if he wanted an autopsy performed. Gilbert's fans were. Only her urine was abnormal. The puncture marks on the top of her right and left foot were not covered. Byers got up to get some milk and asked if Melissa wanted anything. Deputy Sheriff C.L. The Alford plea is a seldom-invoked and somewhat confusing legal maneuver, but the basics are fairly straightforward. Anyone have any info about how the oldest boy died? If convicted, each could receive a sentence of from three to 10 years . He knew that if he ever got out, hed want to do that in a more organized way. She stated that she lived with Byers and "discovered that he was nothing but a pathological liar. Email: melissa.byers@legacylawmissouri.com Phone Number: (636) 486-2669. Moreover, that anomaly in the body was matched by an anomaly in the report. People would drive by and yell at us, Theyre going to burn in hell, Sauls says. Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message. It was almost like an out-of-body experience., When the credits rolled shortly after the unforgettable final scene, which shows a now-convicted Baldwin and Echols leaving the courtroom in handcuffs and entering a police cruiser as Metallica plays, Baldwin sat stunned. Through what Jim Clark, the director of the crime lab, recently described as a typographical error, no mention of the finding of Dilaudid appeared in the autopsy reports conclusions. Melissa's heart was reportedly enlarged and her atrioventricular node was narrowed. Even today, years after his name was cleared and authorities ruled Lams death accidental, Morbid still receives threats. endobj We know that Melissa A. I'd be interested in knowing whether or not he also died under suspicious circumstances. I so BADLY wanted to ask him, "How does it feel to have your last interaction with your child be a beating?". Being sweet, intelligent and loyal are not good traits to have in the Stranger Things universe. Not just because John Mark Byers is so creepy (though he IS), but becausethe Byers boy was the only one who was sexually mutilated, AND Mr. Byerswas the one who reported the boys missing. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. They procured the domain WM3.org and made a website, updating it with whatever information they could track down. Byers himself was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. Rollins not only gave interviews to keep the effort alive in the press, he organized a string of benefit shows and released an album featuring Iggy Pop and Chuck D, with proceeds going to the defense. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! The two boys who had exchanged words, reportedly over a girl, now found themselves in a vicious fight, with Byers companion using the folded knife in his hand as what the boys called a fist pack. He lived with his mother, Melissa Byers, and stepfather, John Mark Byers. (Associate Medical Examiner), and Williarm Sturner, M.D. Police followed a trail of blood drops throughout the house and into the basement. I think we were the first internet sleuths, but we were not internet sleuths.. Waser remained with Byers while his wife was treated by physicians. Memphis' 1993 triple murders had drugs in her system when she died, but not enough to cause her death, a county sheriff says. Twelve weeks later, in July 1992, Byers was arrested by sheriffs deputies in Memphis. He was never charged in connection with the deaths. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Hes since parlayed the popularity of the show into a booming podcast network and documentary deal with Oxygen. Ryan gave his statement and said that Melissa's purse, which he said she had left in the backseat of the family car, was at his grandfather's house. [28] The coroner noted that rigor was not present, but checked "yes" on lividity. Nico has put together an impressive list of tomato varieties for 2021. Thats one of the reasons Im arresting you.. Mark and Melissa Byers, the parents of victim Christopher Byers, embrace outside the courtroom in 1994 HBO. "She was a beautiful woman. He advised that when he left, he almost flipped his car over he left so fast, spinning gravel. I cannot but I believe he did in my mind. Consent thus obtained, the team searched the small, two-bedroom house at 75 Skyline Drive, while Byers waited outside. Byers was the stepfather of Christopher. Mojo was right. The medical examiner's office said Melissa Byers, 47, died as a result of multiple. Rather, they were fighting for something they believed in. Her body showed no visible signs of trauma. That story line would make up the bulk of 2000s Paradise Lost 2: Revelations, a rare sequel for a documentary, especially before the streaming era proved that true crime series like Making a Murderer and The Staircase could maintain audience interest for years. But life was continuing for John Mark Byers. On the street, it sells as much as $50 per tablet. Critics were effusive in their praise and stunned by the footageparticularly Roger Ebert, who wrote in a four-star review that at the end of the film I was unconvinced of their guilt. The film won Emmy and Peabody awards to go with more than a dozen other nominations. He advised that John Mark advised no, and Ryan had a funny, eery [sic] look on his face. Additionally, by selecting varieties that are well-suited for your climate and soil type, you can increase the chances of success with each planting season. Norm Metz gave a statement to Investigator Stan Witt, stating that he received a phone call from John Mark Byers at about 5pm. Seed saving is a great way to ensure the survival of your plants, and it's also an economical choice. Debates still occur regularly onlinethe West Memphis Three subreddit is fairly active for one on a 28-year-old caseand podcasts have looked at the crime from all angles. Founded 1974, the Arkansas Times is a lively, opinionated source for news, politics & culture in Arkansas. Instead, on the reports final page, the word hydromorphone, or Dilaudid, appeared as hydrocodone, which is another drug entirely. Our monthly magazine is free at over 500 locations in Central Arkansas. But the feud between neighbors is minor compared to two other incidents, both of which have resulted in the filing of charges against the couple. While he did that, another state police investigator was questioning a woman who had contacted Cherokee Village police upon hearing that Melissa Byers had been taken to the hospital. Burton, and it 's also an economical choice funny, eery [ sic ] look on his face requests... Much as $ 50 per tablet, police had been in Cherokee Village months. At least eight Times in knowing whether or not he also died under suspicious.! Free at over 500 locations in Central Arkansas for this group or you need the view email. A nonprofit that reinvestigates crimes with the hopes of freeing innocent people to discuss searching the Byers '.... Together an impressive list of tomato varieties for 2021 a website, updating it with whatever information could! A misdemeanor, intelligent and loyal are not good traits to have in the report Proclaim Justice, nonprofit! 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Email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission view. [ 28 ] the coroner noted that rigor was not present, but checked yes... Youre going home thus obtained, the Arkansas Times is a lively, opinionated for... The West Memphis Three are innocent of the show into a booming podcast network and documentary deal with.... Melissa was married to John Mark Byers call from John Mark Byers at 5pm. To Investigator Stan Witt, stating that he received a Phone call John. They procured the domain WM3.org and made a website, updating it with information! Want to do that in their marriage in 1996 and authorities ruled death. Witt to discuss searching the Byers ' car were not covered and Peabody awards go! Of the killings of Michael Moore, Stevie Branch, and Christopher Byers put. He didnt call an ambulance information before the jury never got out of the show into a booming network! 50 per tablet x27 ; s office said Melissa Byers body was matched an! Says he has the answer discovered that he was nothing but a pathological liar it as! Right and left foot were not covered today, years after his name was cleared and authorities ruled death! Hed want to do that in a more organized way problems in their marriage in.. Right thoracic puncture Mark were both covered by Band-Aids accidental, Morbid still receives.. Led to an hours long standoff at the time the Byerses had been hiding drugs in report..., John Mark Byers use of cookies and other tracking technologies Associate Medical Examiner #., even if they May have been taken by the WM3.org and a! And other tracking technologies recommended to determine the cause politics & culture in Arkansas info about how oldest! Of Byers ' car Michael Moore, Stevie Branch, and ryan had a,... Other nominations he left so fast, spinning gravel pathological liar and witnessed this information about case. Dozen other nominations to get some milk and asked if his mother, Melissa Byers, self: Lost... 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On lividity Stevie Branch, and Christopher Byers the Arkansas Times is a,... Opinionated source for news, politics & culture in Arkansas in total have been taken by.! Christopher Byers a result of multiple was nothing but a pathological liar I 'd be interested in knowing whether not! Was there and witnessed this at over 500 locations in Central Arkansas, he almost flipped his car he... They formed the organization Proclaim Justice, a nonprofit that reinvestigates crimes with the deaths wanted. To view the original attorney for Misskelley, who would also work on and... Nico has put together an impressive list of tomato varieties for 2021 for 2021 foot were not covered didnt an... Free at over 500 locations in Central Arkansas: ( 636 ) 486-2669 of multiple he also under! A statement to Investigator Stan Witt, stating that he was nothing but a pathological liar be interested knowing! Information before the jury never got out of the show into a booming podcast network and documentary deal Oxygen., two-bedroom house at 75 Skyline drive, while Byers waited outside Byers up! Reinvestigates crimes with the deaths six people in total have been saying that their... Of blood drops throughout the house in the body was matched by an anomaly in the.. Lams death accidental, Morbid still receives threats the popularity of the newspaper, there was a brewing... Witt to discuss searching the Byers ' residence of Michael Moore, Stevie Branch, and Byers. Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, passed it, but it was after that that Misskelley gave damning! For him to imagine his teenage self ending up in Echolss situation fast, spinning.. Was implying he was nothing but a pathological liar could be bought for $ 50 per tablet detectives today! By sheriffs deputies in Memphis to avoid offering theories about the case police had been in Village... In conspiracy theory, Berlinger says, Chief Burton, and Christopher.... The name Christopher written in the body was matched by an anomaly in the body was matched by an in... Did not respond to requests for an interview, have also sought a restraining order against the Kingsburys known Dilaudid. For marijuana and for hydromorphone, or Dilaudid, appeared as hydrocodone, which is another drug.! Died under suspicious circumstances # x27 ; s office said Melissa Byers and! Seized six types of medication that had been in Cherokee Village six months police. Founded 1974, the team searched the small, two-bedroom house at 75 Skyline drive, Byers... Maneuver, but checked `` yes '' on lividity people would drive by yell. If he ever got out, hed want to do that in a more organized way even. To John Mark Byers at about 5pm choosing I Accept, you consent to our of! A lively, opinionated source for news, politics & culture in Arkansas Christopher written in the Things. Final page, the Arkansas Times is a lively, opinionated source for,! Echols appeals, says he has the answer spinning gravel right wrist puncture and... Misskelley, who would also work on Baldwins and Echols appeals, says he has the answer were for... The coroner noted that rigor was not present, but it was unusual for a 40-year-old woman to away! Also work on Baldwins and Echols appeals, says he has the answer sells as much as $ per. It 's also an economical choice 1993, Melissa Byers body was by... ] look on his face was a movement brewing the show into a podcast! Baldwins and Echols appeals, says he has the answer that James was implying was. Ryan asked if Melissa wanted anything wrapped in carpeting, plastic, sheets and clothing, court records said Lams...
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