The body of an Oklahoma mother-of-six has been found by her cousin wrapped in a carpet and tucked in a ditch – days after she went on a date with a mystery 6ft man.
Makayla Fay Meave-Byers, 30, was found by her relative in a four-foot-deep drain just miles from home after leaving with ‘a tall balding male with a dark-colored beard.’
The kindergarten teacher’s aide, who was working to get a teaching certificate before her death, vanished after leaving her home in Macomb, a tiny town with a population of around 24 people.
She was last seen on September 15 at approximately 5.30pm and was wearing a Macomb Public School t-shirt reading ‘It’s a great day to be a Hornet,’ denim shorts and a patchwork backpack.
She left voluntarily and got into a white Chevy extended cab pickup with tinted windows, according to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office.
Makayla Fay Meave-Byers, 30, went missing from her Macomb home on September 15
She was last seen with an unidentified man described as ‘tall,’ ‘balding’ and sporting a ‘dark beard’
The teacher aide was the mother of six, two foster children and four step-daughters
Her body was found just miles from her home, wrapped in a carpet and left in a drain
A search was launched when Meave-Byers didn’t return after 24 hours.
Law enforcement combed the area using infrared drones and search dogs but couldn’t find any trace of her.
Instead Meave-Byers’ cousin, who was not named, was the one to call 911 after making the grim discovery on September 20.
The body was found tucked into a culvert and was wrapped in what Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Dinwiddie called waterlogged ‘old pieces of carpet.’
‘We were walking down all of the canals down closest to the water and we smelt something and so my friend got down there and found her,’ the cousin told 911 operators shortly after discovering the body.
‘She’s inside there 100 percent.’
The medical examiner confirmed the identity as Meave-Byers on September 22.
Although there weren’t any obvious signs of trauma, Dinwiddie said foul play was ‘absolutely’ involved.
Family members insisted that it was uncharacteristic for her to disappear and leave behind her two adopted children, four step-daughters and beloved dog.
‘She’s a great mother, it’s all she cares about,’ Andria Meave told KFOR.
She also recalled the last thing her little sister ever said to her was that she loved her.
Barbara Harper, Meave-Byers’ mother, told the outlet that her daughter’s phone was pinged within a three-mile radius of her home.
She posted on Facebook, days before Meave-Byers was found dead: ‘Her family loves her very much and just wants her home. Mama loves you baby girl.’
Older sister Andria Meave described her as ‘a great mother’
The woman’s body was discovered by her cousin, who had joined the search with a friend
In a frantic 911 call, the cousin told operators: ‘She’s inside there 100 percent’
Community members held a vigil outside a local high school where they lit candles and sang in her memory
Friends and family held a vigil the night of September 23 in front of Lexington High School.
Attendees lit candles, sang and recalled fond memories of the teacher.
A GoFundMe was created to help the family with funeral expenses.
‘Makayla was born on July 15, 1993. She grew up with a devoted mama and older sister, and lots of other family members who loved her so very much,’ the page read.
‘With such a tragic and unexpected loss the family could use help with providing Makayla the memorial service she deserves.’
Macomb Public Schools also released a statement honoring their late employee.
‘Our hearts are heavy as we grieve this tragic loss of a beloved Macomb Public Schools educator and parent,’ a Facebook post read.
‘Makayla cared deeply for our students and families and she will be greatly missed.
‘We offer our heartfelt condolences to Makayla’s family, friends, students and all those impacted by this terrible loss.’