Gebar Byrd Jr. went missing on March 22, 2010 from University City, Missouri. He lived with his parents, Yasmin Rodriguez and Gebar Byrd Sr., who were in a long-term relationship but never married.

According to Gebar Sr., Rodriguez took Gebar and left after an argument, which she had done once before. However, Rodriguez's relatives reported her and Gebar missing on March 28. Rodriguez's body was found in the Mississippi River on April 9 with a cut on her forehead and bruises on her arms, legs, and torso. Gebar Sr. was charged with her murder and Gebar's murder in late May, as investigators believed he pushed Rodriguez into the river while she was holding Gebar in her arms.

Gebar Sr. had a history of domestic abuse against Rodriguez and had confessed to the crime, but later claimed she had killed Gebar and herself.

In October 2011, Gebar Sr. was convicted of second-degree murder for Rodriguez's death, involuntary manslaughter for Gebar's death, child endangerment, and second-degree domestic assault, and was sentenced to life in prison.

Gebar's body has never been found and foul play is suspected in his case.