For Immediate Release
March 8, 2019
A Jackson County jury today convicted a Kansas City man in the 2017 murder of his wife, Melissa Byers, whose body was found in the basement of her residence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
The jury convicted Byers of Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Child Endangerment.
According to court records, a child told a school counselor that she had seen a dead body in the basement of her home. Officers responded to the residence in the 2400 block of College. They found the defendant, who stated he didn't know where his wife was. Officers found blood drops in the home; they also saw apparent blood on the walls in the living area of the residence, the kitchen and on the base of the basement steps, as well as what appeared to be drag markings. A large section of carpet had been removed from the dining room of the residence. In the basement, police found the victim's body covered with carpet, plastic, sheets and clothing. The Medical Examiner ruled the victim's death a homicide, the result of multiple stab wounds.
Sentencing will be a future yet-to-be-set date.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Daniel Portnoy and Audrey McCormick prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile: (816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.