What happened the day an Arizona detective allegedly strangled his wife?

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) – A man who had previously investigated murders found himself embroiled in a case of his own: He was accused of killing his wife and leaving their three young children parentless.

John Byrd worked as a detective for the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office.

Now, for the first time, his wife’s family and best friend have opened up about what happened that day and how they are trying to move forward in Elizabeth Byrd’s memory.

“This is our high school yearbook…1999!” Kim Moody said as she flipped through the book.

The beginning of a lifelong friendship was captured in these pages.

“That’s where we graduated; Look how young we are!” Kim said with a big smile on her face. “Every little moment of my life had Liz etched into it.”

Now in her 40s, Moody walked every step of life with Elizabeth Byrd by her side.

“College and then getting married and then having kids and being moms together — it was really special,” Moody said.

“She gave everyone the best, and I don’t know how you do it, but she did.” Kim was there when Liz met the love of her life at the University of Arizona: John Byrd.

“What was your perception of John?” asked true crime correspondent Briana Whitney.

“When Liz met John, I think she knew she was going to marry him. She loved him; he loved her,” Kim said.

John was a detective with the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office specializing in domestic violence.

Liz cared for her three young children while also teaching fitness classes in and around the Mesa area.

On July 31st, Liz and Kim were supposed to attend their fitness class together.

“She didn’t text that morning, so I texted a few times and something just felt wrong,” she said.

Kim caught Byrd’s oldest son, who is 12 years old. He told her that his parents were not home and their bedroom door was locked, leaving him, his now nine-year-old sister and four-year-old brother alone without explanation.

“As soon as I heard they were alone, I got in my car. I said to them: “Pack a bag.” I’ll come get you, we’ve spent the night!’ Because I didn’t want to panic, but I knew something was wrong,” Kim recalled.

“I imagine you’ll try to contact John at some point?” Briana asked.

“I did,” said Kim,

“Did he answer?” Briana asked.

“NO. No,” Kim shook her head. Liz’s parents soon called the police for a welfare check.

Officers found Liz dead in the bedroom from being strangled. John was nowhere to be found.

“Go to the children, how are the children, what do we do with the children, how do we explain this to the children? How quickly can we reach them to hug them, reassure them and grieve with them?” Liz’s older brother, Rob Pecharich, remembered after learning of his sister’s death.

Rob was amazed at what they learned next.

Officers located John Byrd, who confessed to killing his wife during an argument.

John told police he had taken a medical leave of absence from work and was struggling with mental health issues, but told them at that moment: “A switch just flipped.”

“At no time did Liz express to family and friends that she was concerned for her safety,” Rob said. “We just didn’t see this coming.”

Even more confusing for her family, John worked in law enforcement and was recently recognized for his work in domestic violence prevention.

“It’s all a lot harder to manage given John’s career,” Rob said. “You think, hypocrite. Do you think it was all just an act?”

John Byrd was arrested for second degree murder. He’s now sitting in a prison cell, the same place he sent criminals for years. “What does justice look like to you?” Briana asked.

“I think justice to me means my family gets answers,” Rob said.

Meanwhile, Liz’s heartbroken family and friends must pick up the pieces of a shattered life and come to terms with what’s happening Was and what Is Now.

“This is not the man I knew. And that’s hard because I lost that too,” Kim said.

“The world has lost someone who spent his life trying to improve the lives of others and that is heartbreaking,” Rob said through tears. “Liz would tell us to look after my babies. Make them comfortable, make them laugh, make sure they are loved.” While Liz is gone, parts of her are not gone.

Family and friends promise that their children will always feel their love – because they see so much of Liz in the three of them.

“She will always be with them because the best of her lives on through her,” Kim said.

All three children are now cared for by Liz’s parents, her brother and other close family and friends who are stepping in to help.

John Byrd’s trial is currently scheduled for the end of December, but this could be postponed until 2025.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or is a victim of domestic violence, please visit the resource links below.

Mental Health Resources:

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline

AZ DES Behavioral Health Resources

211 Healthcare and Mental Health

Domestic Violence Resources:

Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

AZ DES Support for victims of domestic violence

Domestic and sexual violence resources

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