'We just need closure...a body to bury'
JPD seeks new info on case
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Martin Byerly

The family of Martin Byerly is just looking for closure.

"We just need closure and a body to bury," said Dana Weeks, wife of Martin Byerly, who has been missing since Sept. 28, 2007.

On that Friday, Byerly was last seen at Jake's Place on U.S. Highway 96 in Jasper. His white 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck was found Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Payless Shoe Source store located on Highway 190 in Jasper.

Byerly is described as a while male, 5'11" and weighing 185 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and a mustache.

For authorities searching for information on Byerly's disappearance, the case has been nothing short of frustrating.

"We are nowhere on this case," said Jasper Police Det. Mike Poindexter. "It's been very frustrating but I don't want whoever is involved thinking we have forgotten about it and pushed it to the backburner. I want them to know that we are still looking for them and we haven't given up on this."

Poindexter said there is plenty of evidence that the department is still awaiting the results from the Department of Public Safety lab.

Newsboy photo/Sharon Kerr MEMBERS OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY Crime Lab examine the Chevrolet pickup truck owned by Martin Lynn Byerly in October of last year at the Jasper Police station.

"It's been frustrating on waiting on that to get back," Poindexter said. "There are people who are working on a murder case whereas ours is still listed as a missing person."

Poindexter said he believes there is someone that knows something about this case that will blow it wide open.

"I don't care if they think it is stupid or they think it is a rumor, it doesn't matter - just call me," Poindexter said. "We have followed up on more than 150 calls and a 151 is not going to matter.

"We are still looking and chasing some leads and we just wanted to remind the public that we are still actively working this case," Poindexter said.

One key issue that Poindexter is actively pursing is when did Byerly leave Jake's Place.

"Anybody that might have been at the bar that night and seen him leave," Poindexter said. "I have talked to a bunch of people at that bar that night but no doubt I haven't talked to everyone that was there that night."

On Sept. 28, it was estimated that more than 100 attended the re-grand opening of the bar.

"Anything that someone might have remembered seeing they need to call us," Poindexter said. "We are still getting some calls.

Poindexter said that on the evening that Byerly went missing he was wearing a straw hat and a red, white, blue and yellow stripped shirt, jeans and boots.

"That is the last known clothing description we have on him," Poindexter said.

Poindexter also is calling on all convenience store workers to jog their memory to see if they remember seeing Byerly on Sept. 28 at 11:30 p.m. or later.

"He might have stopped at a convenience store to get something to eat or drink," Poindexter said.

Poindexter said in his 21 years of experience on the force this is the first type of case he has experienced here.

"We have had some murder cases but we always had some kind of evidence that led us in the right direction," Poindexter said. "This is the first, since I have been here, of where's he at, who done it, that we have had."

Anyone with information on Martin Byerly's disappearance is urged to contact Poindexter at 409-384-3471 or call EasTex CrimeStoppers at 409-724-TIPS.