JACKSON TOWNSHIP, PA – The Northern York County Regional Police Department has reported a significant development in the investigation into the death of Michael Alan Byers, a 42-year-old resident of the 6400 block of Pigeon Hill Rd. in Jackson Township. On November 20, 2023, Zachary Allen Neiman, aged 35, who lived at the same address, was arrested on charges related to Byers’ death.
Michael Byers was found deceased on the morning of April 30, 2023, by his landlord, Zachary Neiman. The discovery was made outside Byers’ home near a fire pit. Byers, who resided in a detached apartment building on the same property as Neiman, was found only in shorts, covered in mud, with visible injury to his face. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene and confirmed Byers’ death.
According to Neiman, he had been alone by the fire pit on the evening of April 29, 2023, around 10:00 PM. Neiman reported that he went to bed after Byers came outside, estimating the time to be around 11:30 PM.
However, police interviews with two neighbors revealed a different account. The neighbors reported hearing an argument between Neiman and Byers by the fire pit on the evening of April 29. They stated that Neiman admitted to assaulting Byers and then returned to his home. The witnesses also reported hearing sounds consistent with a continued assault on Byers around 10:00 PM.
An autopsy conducted on May 1, 2023, at the Lehigh Valley Health Network concluded that the cause of Byers’ death was blunt force injuries complicated by ethanol intoxication.
Following the investigation, Zachary Allen Neiman was arrested and charged with Murder of the Third Degree and Involuntary Manslaughter. He underwent a preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Reilly and is currently held at York County Prison.