An Oklahoma community is dealing with an impossible tragedy: Malary Clayton, a mother living in Colbert, was found dead in her home. Details about exactly who found her have not been shared by those conducting the investigation, but it was determined she was shot and killed. A teenage boy who lives in the home is reportedly the suspected killer. Again, authorities haven’t shared an exact relationship between the boy and Clayton, but she is suspected to be his mother. Currently, the boy hasn’t been officially charged with anything but is in a juvenile detention center while legalities are figured out.
Deputies from the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deceased person about 6:45 p.m. February 27, 2026, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced in a news release. When deputies arrived, they found the body of Clayton, 31.
“It was determined she suffered injuries consistent with homicide,” the release shared.
The sheriff’s office called in the bureau to help with the investigation once it was determined to be a homicide. During the investigation, special agents identified the 13-year-old boy as a “person of interest.”
An emergency alert for the teen was issued by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and through calls, it was determined he was “south of the Oklahoma/Texas border,” the release noted. Multiple Texas law enforcement agencies began working together to locate him.
“On February 28, 2026, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Grayson County deputies located the 13-year-old suspect and placed him into custody. The suspect is currently being held at a juvenile facility in Texas. There are no other suspects at large at this time,” the release shared.
The teen, who has not been named because he’s a minor, was booked on a complaint of first-degree murder, KXII reported. During the investigation, authorities determined that Clayton died from a gunshot wound. Official charges haven’t been filed.
“Right now, the OSBI is still working on our reports and our investigation. We will then turn that over to the Bryan County District Attorney’s Office, who, of course, will determine official charges,” Hunter McKee, public information manager with the bureau, told KXII.
Sheriff Joey Tucker told the outlet no previous reports had been made by Clayton or the boy.
“The loss of Malary Clayton is heartbreaking. A young mother’s life was taken, and that is something no family, no friends, and no community should ever have to endure,” Tucker noted in a statement shared to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
“This case is especially tragic because it involves a 13-year-old child. There are no winners in a situation like this. Two lives and two futures are forever changed,” the statement continued. “As a father, as a member of this community and as your Sheriff, I cannot express strongly enough how heavy this weighs on all of us. We recognize that there is pain on multiple sides of this tragedy, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted.”
Tucker explained that the investigation is ongoing, and his office is working closely with the district attorney’s office.
“Right now, our focus is on compassion, on truth, and on supporting our community through this difficult time. We ask that everyone allow space for the families involved to grieve privately and respectfully. Please keep them in your prayers,” the sheriff added in the statement.
