13-Year-Old Held in Texas as OSBI Investigates Colbert Homicide

Authorities say a 31-year-old woman was found dead in the small Oklahoma town, with a teenage person of interest now in custody across the state line.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is looking into a homicide in the town of Colbert, where a 31-year-old woman was found dead on Friday. A 13-year-old male has been identified as a person of interest and was located in Texas, where he is currently being held in a juvenile facility as the investigation continues.

Why it matters

Homicides are rare in the small town of Colbert, so this incident has shaken the community. The involvement of a 13-year-old as a person of interest also raises concerns about youth violence and the challenges of the juvenile justice system, especially when crimes cross state lines.

The details

According to OSBI, Bryan County deputies responded to a residence on Sims Road in Colbert on Friday and found the body of 31-year-old Malary Clayton, with injuries consistent with homicide. Investigators identified a 13-year-old male as a person of interest, and he was later located in Texas by Grayson County deputies and taken into custody.

  • On Friday, Bryan County deputies responded to a residence on Sims Road in Colbert.
  • Early Saturday morning around 6:30 a.m., the 13-year-old person of interest was taken into custody in Texas.

The players

Malary Clayton

A 31-year-old woman who was found dead in Colbert, Oklahoma.

OSBI

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which is leading the homicide investigation.

Bryan County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that first responded to the incident in Colbert.

Grayson County Deputies

Texas law enforcement officers who located and took the 13-year-old person of interest into custody.

13-year-old male

The person of interest in the homicide investigation, who is currently being held in a Texas juvenile facility.

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What they’re saying

“There are no other suspects at large at this time.”

— OSBI (OSBI social media)

What’s next

The investigation remains ongoing, and OSBI will submit a full report to the Bryan County district attorney's office once the investigation is complete. Decisions about filing charges or seeking a transfer to adult court for the 13-year-old person of interest will be made by prosecutors working with juvenile authorities and local law enforcement in Texas.

The takeaway

This tragic incident in the small town of Colbert highlights the challenges of youth violence and the complexities of the juvenile justice system, especially when crimes cross state lines. The investigation is ongoing, and the community will be closely watching how the case proceeds.