COUNCIL HILL, Okla. — Authorities in McIntosh County have released the names of two individuals connected to a tragic and puzzling incident discovered earlier this week near Council Hill. The McIntosh County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that one person was found dead and another injured in what officials describe as a serious, ongoing investigation.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the deceased has been identified as 53-year-old Traci Byrd of Hugo. Byrd’s body was discovered in a wooded area near the intersection of Highway 72 and Highway 266, prompting a swift response from deputies, emergency personnel, and investigators who secured the scene and began collecting evidence.
Nearby, investigators found 47-year-old Armando Mustafa Rojas Caceras, also of Hugo, inside a barn not far from where Byrd was located. Authorities said Caceras appeared to have injuries consistent with a struggle. He was taken into custody, provided medical treatment, and later questioned by investigators. Officials have not yet detailed his connection to Byrd or the events that led to the discovery.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has joined the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office in examining the circumstances of the incident. Forensic teams are analyzing evidence gathered from both scenes in hopes of determining a timeline and motive. Officials have confirmed that the medical examiner’s office will establish Byrd’s official cause and manner of death once the autopsy is complete.
Law enforcement officers spent hours canvassing the rural area for witnesses and potential surveillance footage that could shed light on the case. Residents in Council Hill and Byrd’s hometown of Hugo have expressed sorrow and shock over the news, describing both communities as quiet and close-knit, where violent events of this nature are exceedingly rare.
Authorities have emphasized that the situation appears isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The District Attorney’s Office has urged anyone with information, no matter how minor, to contact the OSBI tip line. As investigators await the medical examiner’s report and review collected evidence, they have expressed condolences to the family and friends of Traci Byrd, assuring the community that every effort is being made to uncover the truth behind this heartbreaking event.
