Corpus Christi, TX – Austin Myles Byrom, 19, and Skyler Katherine Burghart, 18, were arrested late last week by members of the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF) in Corpus Christi, TX. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), where it is alleged that Byrom and Burghart committed 1st degree murder.
On January 2, 2014, members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) initiated an investigation in the search for Byrom and Burghart in Canyon Lake, TX. Subsequent to the investigation, task force officers discovered that Byrom and Burghart had previously fled from Canyon Lake, TX to Corpus Christi, TX. Members of the LSFTF then contacted members of the GCVOFTF in Corpus Christi, TX for assistance in locating and apprehending Byrom and Burghart. On January 3, 2014, task force officers, through investigative efforts, received information that Byrom and Burghart were hiding out in a Motel 6 in Corpus Christi, TX. Task force officers, along with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD), drove to the Motel 6 and observed Byrom, Burghart, and 3 other subjects driving away in a pick-up truck. The pick-up truck was stopped and all the occupants attempted to elude officers on foot. After a brief foot chase, Burghart and the 3 other subjects were apprehended. Byrom initially eluded capture, but was later apprehended in a nearby neighborhood.
On January 1, 2014, Byrom and Burghart were allegedly involved in violently and brutally stabbing a man to death and robbing him of his money, vehicle, and gun safe containing multiple weapons in Canyon Lake, TX. A District Court Judge of Comal County issued arrest warrants for Byrom and Burghart soon after. Subsequent to arrest, the victim’s vehicle was recovered and a .9mm handgun was found inside.
Byrom and Burghart are currently being held in custody at the Comal County Jail awaiting their court proceedings.
Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “These two fugitives needed to be captured right away and that’s exactly what our task force officers did. They didn’t allow another day to go by without putting these two violent offenders behind bars. This is definitely not a way to start the New Year and my prayers go out to the victim’s family who suffered a great loss.
