McINTOSH COUNTY, Okla — Authorities have released new information in the heartbreaking homicide case near Council Hill, as investigators continue to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a Hugo woman.
According to the McIntosh County District Attorney’s Office, the victim has been identified as 53-year-old Traci Byrd, who was tragically found deceased in a wooded area near Highway 72 and Highway 266 earlier this week. Deputies responding to the scene discovered Byrd’s body and immediately began treating the case as a homicide.
Not far from where Byrd was found, law enforcement officers located 47-year-old Armando Mustafa Rojas Caceras, also of Hugo. Authorities say Caceras was discovered inside a barn with injuries consistent with a struggle. He was taken into custody and provided medical attention before being questioned by investigators.
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed that charges are pending, and the investigation remains active. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is assisting local authorities in gathering evidence, processing the scene, and determining the events that led to Byrd’s death.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death, which will be crucial to the ongoing case.
As the news spreads, the Hugo and McIntosh County communities are mourning the loss of Traci Byrd, described by friends and neighbors as a kind and compassionate woman whose life was taken far too soon. Community members have expressed both grief and disbelief over the tragedy, offering condolences to her family and loved ones.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have information related to the case to come forward and contact the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office or the District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities have pledged to pursue justice for Byrd and to ensure that every detail of the incident is thoroughly examined.
This devastating case serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of loss. Further updates will be released as more information becomes available from officials overseeing the investigation.