On March 20, 2024, at approximately 5:29 a.m., 35-year-old Brandy Kay Mathieson of Covelo, California, contacted 911 to report a domestic violence incident involving her boyfriend, 43-year-old Johnathan Lee Draughan. During the call, Mathieson informed the dispatcher that Draughan was present in the house and armed with a firearm. Tragically, while still on the line, gunshots were heard, and Mathieson became unresponsive. Shortly thereafter, Draughan took over the call, admitting to shooting his girlfriend and stating he would await the arrival of law enforcement.
Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office responded promptly, arriving from Willits. They apprehended Draughan without incident at the scene. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by deputies and local fire personnel, Mathieson was pronounced deceased at the location. The couple's 2-year-old child was present during the incident and was transported to an out-of-county hospital for injuries unrelated to the shooting.
Investigations revealed a history of domestic violence between Mathieson and Draughan. In November 2023, Draughan faced charges for using tear gas against Mathieson and committing assault causing great bodily injury, leading to the issuance of a criminal protective order. However, by December 2023, the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office moved to dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence, resulting in the termination of the protective order. Subsequently, Mathieson sought another protective order in January 2024, which was granted in February, but attempts to serve Draughan were unsuccessful.
Draughan's criminal history extends beyond these incidents, with records dating back to at least 1998 in North Carolina, encompassing approximately 14 court cases across North and South Carolina up to 2016. In California, he was placed on probation after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct under the influence of drugs in Del Norte County. He was also arrested in December 2022 for violating a court order intended to prevent domestic violence.
Following his arrest for Mathieson's murder, Draughan was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of homicide. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on June 21, 2024, and was scheduled for sentencing on July 19, 2024. The case underscores the critical importance of addressing and intervening in domestic violence situations to prevent such tragic outcomes.
