13-Year-Old Oklahoma Boy Taken Into Custody After Woman's Death

Malary Clayton, 31, was found dead in her home from an apparent gunshot wound

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 13-year-old Oklahoma boy has been taken into custody and placed in a Texas juvenile detention center in connection with the death of 31-year-old Malary Clayton. Clayton was found dead in her home in Colbert, Oklahoma on February 27 from an apparent gunshot wound. Authorities say the child was the primary suspect in the woman's killing.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has shaken the local community, raising concerns about youth violence and the challenges of dealing with alleged crimes involving minors. The case highlights the need for comprehensive support systems to prevent such tragedies and address the underlying issues that may lead young people to commit violent acts.

The details

According to investigators, an unidentified individual found Clayton deceased in her home on February 27. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation determined that she died from a gunshot wound. A missing persons alert was issued for the 13-year-old boy, who was later found and taken into custody across the Texas border the following day.

  • On February 27, Clayton was found dead in her home.
  • On February 28, the 13-year-old suspect was located and taken into custody.

The players

Malary Clayton

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

13-year-old boy

The primary suspect in Clayton's death, who was taken into custody and placed in a Texas juvenile detention center.

Bryan County Sheriff Joey W. Tucker

The sheriff who expressed condolences to Clayton's family and friends and called the situation "especially tragic" due to the age of the alleged offender.

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What they’re saying

“A young mother's life was taken, and that is something no family, no friends, and no community should ever have to endure. On behalf of the Bryan County Sheriff's Office, I want to extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to everyone who loved her. Our prayers are with her family and friends as they walk through unimaginable grief.”

— Bryan County Sheriff Joey W. Tucker (Facebook)

“There are no winners in a situation like this. Two lives and two futures are forever changed. 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.”

— Bryan County Sheriff Joey W. Tucker (Facebook)

What’s next

The investigation into Malary Clayton's death remains ongoing. The 13-year-old suspect is currently being held in a Texas juvenile detention center.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for comprehensive support systems and interventions to address youth violence and prevent such heartbreaking outcomes. The community must come together to understand the underlying factors that may have led to this tragedy and work to implement solutions that prioritize the well-being of all young people.