Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation   Stan Florence  Director   Jessica Brown Public Information Director

12/22/11                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Arrest Made in Guthrie Murder

A Texas woman is under arrest for the murder of Francis Maurice Byrd inside his Guthrie home December 7th. Beverly Rhea McColm (d.o.b. 8/29/1946) was arrested Tuesday at her home in Forney, Texas, for the murder. Byrd and McColm were acquaintances. McColm had recently loaned Byrd money.

Surveillance video from a church near Byrd’s home places McColm at the crime scene at the time Byrd was shot multiple times and killed.

Guthrie Police found Bryd dead inside his home after relatives requested a welfare check.

McColm was booked into the Kaufman County, Texas, jail where she awaits extradition.