A 34-year-old Missouri man, Karl Mayberry, has been charged with first-degree murder in the brutal killing of Alvatyne Thomas, the 31-year-old mother of his child, who was found dead inside her home in December 2021.
Police say the victim was discovered sitting upright in a chair with a plastic bag taped tightly around her head, in what investigators have described as a violent and premeditated crime.
Discovery of the Body
According to court documents, on December 27, 2021, St. Louis police officers were called to conduct a welfare check at a home on Oregon Avenue. When officers entered, they found Thomas already dead with signs of severe trauma.
“She had been shot in the back, had extreme swelling on her forehead, a severed ear, and injuries on her hands,” stated the police affidavit.
Investigators also noted that bleach appeared to have been poured over her body, possibly to destroy evidence.
Link to Karl Mayberry
Family members told police that Thomas had been in a troubled and abusive relationship with Karl Mayberry, the father of her child.
Police accessed Thomas’s mobile phone, which showed she had been texting Mayberry shortly before her death, telling him she was at home and about to go to sleep.
Mayberry claimed he was at work during the time of the murder, but co-workers contradicted his story. They said he disappeared for several hours, returned wearing different clothes, and looked emotionally shaken.
Key Evidence and Digital Clues
Investigators also searched Mayberry’s phone and social media, uncovering alarming evidence:
- Mayberry sent a message describing Thomas’ murder, including details not yet released to the public
- He performed internet searches like “first degree murder defenses” and “can he say she say be used against a person for murder in Missouri”
- He also messaged a criminal defense lawyer, asking how much it would cost to defend a murder case
These findings raised serious doubts about Mayberry’s alibi and helped build the case for premeditation.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Mayberry was arrested on Wednesday, more than three years after the killing, and is now being held without bond at the St. Louis City Justice Center.
Court records show that at the time of the murder, he was already on federal probation for assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Mayberry made his first court appearance on Friday afternoon and is awaiting further legal proceedings.