The case of Bahsid McLean is one of the most gruesome and shocking crimes in recent history. In 2013, McLean gained national attention after he brutally murdered and dismembered his own mother, Tanya Byrd, in their Bronx, New York apartment. The crime became even more horrifying when it was revealed that he took a selfie with his mother’s severed head before disposing of her body parts. This chilling act sent shockwaves across the country and raised serious concerns about mental health, family violence, and the justice system.
Who is Bahsid McLean?
Bahsid McLean was a 23-year-old Bronx resident when he committed the heinous crime. Prior to the murder, he was not widely known, and little was documented about his personal life. However, his actions in February 2013 forever etched his name into crime history.
The Crime: Murder and Dismemberment of Tanya Byrd:
Source: 9news
On February 26, 2013, Bahsid McLean stabbed his 45-year-old mother, Tanya Byrd, to death in their apartment. Reports indicate that after murdering her, he proceeded to dismember her body using a power saw. He then placed her remains into garbage bags and suitcases before discarding them in different locations around their Bronx neighborhood.
The Selfie That Shocked the World
What made this crime even more disturbing was that McLean took a selfie with his mother’s severed head and kept it as a twisted souvenir. The gruesome image later surfaced as part of police evidence, horrifying both investigators and the public.
Investigation and Arrest
Bahsid McLean’s crime was quickly discovered when a dog walker found body parts in a plastic bag on the street. Authorities traced the remains back to Tanya Byrd and arrested McLean soon after. During questioning, he showed no remorse and even posed for police mugshots while smiling.
McLean later attempted to blame the crime on his friend William Harris, claiming Harris forced him to commit the act. However, the evidence and McLean’s disturbing behavior made it clear that he was responsible.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In December 2016, after a lengthy legal process, Bahsid McLean was convicted of:
- Second-degree murder
- Unlawful dissection of a human body
The judge sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison for the murder, with an additional 1⅓ to 4 years for the dismemberment, both to be served consecutively.
Psychological Concerns and Motive
McLean’s crime raised serious questions about his mental health. Some reports suggest he suffered from psychological disorders, while others pointed to long-standing conflicts with his mother. During the trial, it was revealed that he had a troubled relationship with Tanya Byrd, who was a devoted mother and a home health aide.
His defense lawyers attempted to argue mental illness, but the jury ultimately found him competent to stand trial.
Connection to Another Tragic Death
In a disturbing twist, Bahsid McLean was the biological father of a 4-year-old boy who was later beaten to death by his mother, Zarah Coombs, in 2017. The boy’s tragic death added another dark layer to McLean’s legacy.
Public and Media Reaction
This case became widely covered in national news due to:
- The horrific nature of the crime
- McLean’s disturbing selfie with his mother’s severed head
- His lack of remorse during court appearances
Many were shocked by his eerie calmness and cold demeanor, making him one of the most infamous criminals in New York’s history.
FAQ’s
1. Who is Bahsid McLean?
Bahsid McLean is a Bronx resident who gained national notoriety in 2013 for murdering and dismembering his mother, Tanya Byrd.
2. What crime did Bahsid McLean commit?
He stabbed his mother to death, dismembered her body using a power saw, and disposed of the remains in garbage bags and suitcases around their neighborhood.
3. Why is his case so infamous?
McLean shocked the world by taking a selfie with his mother’s severed head, which later became crucial evidence in his trial.
4. How was Bahsid McLean caught?
Authorities arrested him after a dog walker found body parts in a plastic bag on the street, which were traced back to Tanya Byrd.
5. What was his sentence?
In 2016, McLean was convicted of second-degree murder and unlawful dissection of a human body and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
6. Did he try to defend himself in court?
McLean attempted to blame his friend William Harris for the crime and claimed mental illness, but the jury found him competent to stand trial.
7. What connection does he have to another tragic case?
McLean was the biological father of a 4-year-old boy who was later beaten to death by his mother, Zarah Coombs, in 2017.
8. How did the public react to the case?
The crime horrified the public due to its gruesome nature, McLean’s lack of remorse, and the disturbing selfie, making it one of New York’s most shocking criminal cases.
Final Thoughts
The case of Bahsid McLean is a haunting reminder of the dark realities of mental illness, domestic violence, and crime. His brutal murder of Tanya Byrd and his chilling actions afterward left a lasting impact on law enforcement, the justice system, and the public. As McLean serves his sentence, the memory of Tanya Byrd, a loving mother whose life was tragically cut short, remains in the hearts of those who knew her.
