Victim, Desta Dodson-Byrd lived a beautiful and charmed life By Daniel L. Bamberg
“She had the sort of personality that made people who were around her want to be around her that much more,” explained Jody Byrd of his wife Desta.
On the evening of February 25, 1999 Jody arrived at their Brierfield home to discover his 29-year-old wife’s lifeless body, the result of a single gunshot wound to the head from his own .22 caliber rifle.
Since then, no one has been charged in connection with her apparent homicide. Was this a case of a random act of violence? Nobody seems to know for certain. The one-thing friends and family of Desta Dodson-Byrd understand is that for nearly 12 years someone has gotten away with her murder.
Now, six childhood friends have established, “Justice For Desta,” in hopes of raising new awareness in this case. With a website, facebook page, and billboard signs in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, members of the group hope to find justice. Such a thing could bring closure to Desta’s parents Ronnie and Vonciel Dodson, her husband and to her childhood friends.
The Justice For Desta Group explains that Desta lived a beautiful and charmed life. They explain that the world is missing someone valuable since the violent act that took such a young life. Few perhaps feel the void of Desta’s absence more than her husband who explains that he and Desta were practically inseparable.
“The only time we were more than 5 feet apart was when we were at work,” he explained. “We had something that many people can’t understand. We were best friends and didn’t need to hang out with many people. I could look at her without speaking a word and she could look at me without speaking a word, but we both knew what the other was thinking. We just enjoyed being around each other. That was our favorite thing to do was be together. People just don’t understand that kind of close relationship.”
Jody works as a UPS driver, a job he has maintained since before his wife’s untimely death. Desta worked for the Social Security Administration. Most days Desta would drive Jody to work and pick him up. They kept in touch through cell phones. Jody explained, when he and his wife were not working they spent most of their time hanging out at the house with Dakota, the couple’s Siberian husky.
According to Jody Desta was interested in fitness training and family members have explained that the young woman often enjoyed water skiing. Desta also volunteered for the Humane Society.
Jody explains that Desta was the center of attention whether she wanted it that way or not.
“There were moments in public where it was as if I was invisible because she just drew everyone’s attention naturally,” Jody said with a smile. “She had such a wonderful personality. People wanted to be around her. They just don’t make people like her often. She was rare.”
Jody and Desta dated for 5 years and were married for nearly 6 until that horrible fate interrupted their bond. Jody explained that he hasn’t been able to move on since the tragedy.
“Her death is a struggle I think about everyday,” Jody said. “You often wonder what kind of impact she would’ve had on the world. I will never be able to out live the pain of missing her. It will be better when I get to the other side and see her again.”
Jody still lives in the home he and Desta built together in Brierfield Estates.
“It is very difficult to come home even today,” Jody said. “There isn’t a day that I don’t come across something that reminds me of her. There isn’t a day that I do not think about her. I stay in the home because she put blood, sweat and tears into this house. I will keep that house if it takes everything in me. If I could change one thing in my life I would go back to that day.”
Jody claims he struggles with the fact that there has been no conclusion to the investigation thus far.
“Her (Desta’s) parents and I have a million questions and no answers. “I believe some of the investigators walked into the case with tunnel vision. I think they had a theory, which didn’t work out. They can’t get those all important 24, 48, 72 hours back. I have respect for their job but investigators come into these sorts of things without emotion to cloud their judgment and that is why it should be easier to do the job.”
Retired ABI Investigator, Perry Beasley was the investigator assigned to the case on the night of the apparent murder. Beasely would not give out any names of suspects or details of the case but did make a statement.
“The victim was killed by someone we believe was very close to her,” expressed Beasley. “Though I am retired now and away from the case I can honestly say, that belief and opinion has not changed in the 11 plus years since Desta’s death.”
There has been a lot of press surrounding the case lately, much of which was pushed by the Justice For Desta Group. Lamar Outdoor Advertising recently donated 5 digital billboard spaces in the Birmingham/ Shelby County area to Justice For Desta in order to bring even more awareness to the case. There are hopes that a new investigation from the ABI may lead to a culmination. The case is still open and was very recently reassigned to a new investigator, according to sources close to the story.
Jody believes Desta’s killer will eventually be brought to justice.
“I do think there will be a conclusion, a final chapter. We will know the end,” he concluded.
A prayer vigil will be held at Linn Park in Birmingham from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th in observance to the 12th anniversary of Desta’s death. Miriam Shehane, the founder of Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) will be on hand to speak. Members of Desta’s family will also be in attendance.
There is currently a $30,000 reward offered for anyone who brings forth information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the crime. If you have any such information you are encouraged to contact the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI). For more information on Desta’s story please visit: justicefordesta.org. and look for Justice For Desta on facebook.
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