Michael Timothy Byrd, a 45-year-old White male from Bentonia, Mississippi, was known as a happy person who loved the Lord, his family, and his life. An avid hunter and fisherman, Timothy was employed as an outside salesman for Crawford Electric. He was active in his church and also conducted prison ministries. Born and raised in the Wesson area, he was a graduate of Wesson High School and Copiah-Lincoln Community College who enjoyed cooking and spending time with family and friends.
On the evening of April 9, 2025, the Yazoo County Sheriff's Office received a call around 6 p.m. reporting a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a residence off Dover Road. When deputies arrived within minutes, they found Timothy Byrd deceased inside his home.
A man who was present at the scene, former Yazoo City Police Chief James Durwood "Jay" Winstead, gave an account of what had happened.
As investigators began processing the scene, they quickly noted that the evidence did not align with a suicide. They uncovered what they described as "several discrepancies" in the story being told by Winstead and found more evidence indicating that foul play was involved. The focus of the investigation shifted from a death inquiry to a homicide, with Winstead becoming the primary person of interest.
Two days later, on April 11, 2025, authorities arrested Winstead, age 50, and charged him with capital murder in connection with Byrd's death. According to a court affidavit, investigators allege that Winstead purposely killed Timothy Byrd with a Smith & Wesson .44 magnum during the commission of a robbery. The affidavit states that $36,000 in cash was taken from Byrd's safe and later found hidden behind the glove box of a Jeep Wrangler.
Winstead initially appeared in court in April, where a judge set his bond at $1 million. However, following a preliminary hearing in May 2025 where evidence was presented and witnesses were called, the judge denied bond. As of May 2025, the case was bound over to a Yazoo County grand jury, and Winstead remained in custody.
