Paul Byrns interview

Saturday, July 23, 2022 – 9:04 a.m.

Paul Byrns is Alyx Byrns' father.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed him at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Paul Byrns

Detective Armstrong: Good morning, Mr. Byrns. We appreciate you coming to talk with us. Please state your name and address for the record.

Paul Byrns: Thank you. My name is Paul Byrns, and I live at 604 College Hill Road, Oxford Mississippi.

Detective Armstrong: Where were you yesterday?

Paul Byrns: At my office.

Detective Armstrong: What time did you leave the house?

Paul Byrns: I had a morning meeting. Around 7:00 a.m. I had to be there. But now my little girl is dead. I loved her so much!

Detective Murphy: We're very sorry, Mr. Byrns. Please take some time to compose yourself.

Paul Byrns: Thank you, but I'd like to get this over with.

Detective Armstrong: When was the last time you saw Alyx?

Paul Byrns: Day before yesterday.

Detective Armstrong: Thursday?

Paul Byrns: Yes.

Detective Murphy: Where was that?

Paul Byrns: At home. She was getting ready to go on a date with Stephen.

Detective Armstrong: Who is Stephen?

Paul Byrns: Stephen Lamoire. Alyx's boyfriend. We didn't approve, but she was almost eighteen, so what could we do?

Detective Armstrong: Why didn't you approve?

Paul Byrns: He was disrespectful, always in trouble—serious trouble, as in criminal. Alyx felt sorry for him.

Detective Murphy: Was your daughter involved in his criminal activities?

Paul Byrns: Absolutely not!

Detective Murphy: How do you know that?

Paul Byrns: Alyx was a good girl. She was mischievous, but it was harmless fun. Stephen is a convicted criminal. There's a difference.

Detective Armstrong: Did you argue with her that last time you last saw her?

Paul Byrns: We exchanged words. It wasn't heated.

Detective Murphy: What was the nature of this exchange?

Paul Byrns: I told her… I… I said that I would cut her off financially if she continued to see him.

Detective Armstrong: But it wasn't heated?

Paul Byrns: No.

Detective Armstrong: You just calmly threatened to cut your daughter off, and she calmly accepted?

Paul Byrns: No, it wasn't like that. It… it was… she knew I would never do that.

Detective Murphy: Had you made these threats in the past?

Paul Byrns: I'm worth millions. Her mother is a local celebrity. There's a lot at stake. Alyx needed to show that she could be responsible.

Detective Armstrong: Was that your last conversation with your daughter?

Paul Byrns: No. I called her yesterday around noon? Or 12:30 p.m.? I'm sorry. This is so hard.

Detective Armstrong: Of course. We can move on.

Detective Murphy: What can you tell us about Alyx's friends?

Paul Byrns: She had a close friend. Her best friend since second grade. Katie Henderson. Sweet girl.

Detective Murphy: One friend?

Paul Byrns: And recently there's Megan. I think her last name is Plummer. I don't know too much about her.

Detective Armstrong: Did they party together?

Paul Byrns: I suppose so.

Detective Armstrong: That didn't concern you?

Paul Byrns: No. Why should it?

Detective Armstrong: Underage drinking didn't concern you?

Paul Byrns: My daughter didn't drink.

Detective Armstrong: Did Alyx have access to your liquor cabinet?

Paul Byrns: No, and it was locked at all times. My daughter didn't drink, detective. Her mother was a severe alcoholic. Alyx was afraid to start.

Detective Murphy: Your wife is a severe alcoholic?

Paul Byrns: Ex-wife. I was previously married. She was a drunk. It's why we're divorced.

Detective Murphy: What's her name?

Paul Byrns: Miranda Lambert. Last time I checked.

Detective Murphy: When did Alyx last see her?

Paul Byrns: She didn't see her. I have sole custody. Miranda couldn't stay sober.

Detective Murphy: So you withheld visitation?

Paul Byrns: No, it was court-ordered. She would drink herself unconscious. Anyway, she wasn't allowed to see Alyx. Not that she cared.

Detective Armstrong: How do you know that?

Paul Byrns: Last time we met, she asked for money. Not visitation. Money. Didn't even ask about Alyx.

Detective Murphy: When was that?

Paul Byrns: A couple of years ago.

Detective Armstrong: Can you be more specific?

Paul Byrns: No. I really don't know. Or care.

Detective Armstrong: How can we contact her?

Paul Byrns: No idea. She called me.

Detective Murphy: Did Alyx ever intentionally cut herself?

Paul Byrns: No! God no. She would never.

Detective Murphy: Never? You're sure?

Paul Byrns: Yes. First of all, Alyx couldn't stand the sight of blood. It made her woozy. And she didn't like sharp objects. She joked about never becoming a surgeon.

Detective Murphy: Do you think your daughter would take her own life?

Paul Byrns: She was a beautiful girl with a bright future. My daughter wasn't capable of taking her own life. She had no reason to commit suicide.

Detective Armstrong: Except when you threatened to disinherit her.

Paul Byrns: Oh, my God. No. No. I never would have.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for your time, Mr. Byrns. If you think of anything else, please call.

Paul Byrns: Yes. Of course. Thank you.

Interview ended – 9:52 a.m.