On September 29, 2022, at approximately 5:00 p.m., New Mexico State Police responded to a call reporting a female found shot outside her residence at 7051 State Road 518 in Talpa, near Ranchos de Taos. Upon arrival, officers discovered 44-year-old Brandi Davis deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Investigators determined that Davis had been living with her 31-year-old boyfriend, Jeremiah Rael, at the residence. Neighbors reported hearing a gunshot around 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.
Additionally, surveillance footage indicated two gunshots were fired around that time, and a man was seen fleeing the area.
Further investigation revealed a history of domestic violence between Davis and Rael. In June 2022, Davis had reported that Rael had strangled her during an argument. However, those charges were dismissed in July at Davis' request.
Rael initially fled the scene but turned himself in to the New Mexico State Police office in Taos around 9:00 p.m. on the same day. He was arrested and booked into the Taos County Detention Center, charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence. The case was investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau with assistance from the New Mexico State Police Crime Scene Team.
