A quiet Oklahoma community was shaken Thursday evening after a 31-year-old woman was found dead inside her Bryan County home — a case that quickly escalated into a multi-state investigation ending with the arrest of a 13-year-old suspect in Texas.
Deputies Respond to Disturbing Call
Around 6:45 p.m. on February 27, deputies with the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence in the 500 block of Sims Road in Colbert after receiving a report of a deceased person.
When officers arrived, they discovered the body of 31-year-old Malary Clayton inside the home.
Authorities later confirmed that Clayton’s injuries were consistent with homicide, prompting the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to join the case.
Suspect Identified, Emergency Alert Issued
As investigators processed the scene and followed leads, OSBI special agents identified a 13-year-old male as a person of interest in the case. An emergency alert was issued as law enforcement worked to track his whereabouts.
During the search, authorities determined the juvenile had traveled south across the Oklahoma-Texas border.
Multi-Agency Search Leads to Arrest in Texas
Several Texas law enforcement agencies coordinated efforts to locate the suspect, including:
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Denison Police Department
- Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
At approximately 6:30 a.m. on February 28, deputies in Grayson County located the 13-year-old and took him into custody without incident.
He is currently being held at a juvenile detention facility in Texas.
Investigation Ongoing
Officials have stated that no other suspects are believed to be involved at this time. The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the homicide.
The case has left many in the small Bryan County community seeking answers as law enforcement continues piecing together what led to the tragic death.
