David Parker Ray

Serial Killer

David Parker Ray: The "Toy-Box Killer"

Introduction

David Parker Ray was an American kidnapper, serial rapist, torturer and suspected serial killer who operated primarily near Elephant Butte, New Mexico. Born on November 6, 1939, Ray became known as the "Toy-Box Killer" because he converted a cargo trailer beside his residence into a carefully planned chamber where women were restrained, drugged, sexually assaulted and tortured. Although investigators suspected that he may have killed numerous victims, Ray was never convicted of murder, and no homicide was conclusively attributed to him through the recovery and identification of a victim's body. Ray's confirmed crimes were nevertheless extensive and methodical. He constructed the trailer to isolate captives from the outside world and equipped it with restraints, chains, medical instruments, recording equipment and devices intended to inflict pain and terror. Investigators also found written records and videotapes associated with his assaults. Ray reportedly claimed that he had abducted approximately 40 women, while some investigators believed the actual number of victims could have been considerably higher.

The "Toy Box"

The trailer Ray called his "toy box" stood near his home in the small resort community of Elephant Butte. Its interior had been altered so that a captive could be restrained for long periods without being heard by neighbors. The walls contained organized equipment, chains, straps and tools, while cameras allowed Ray to record portions of his crimes. Ray used prerecorded audio messages to intimidate women after they awakened inside the trailer. The recordings explained that they had been abducted and were under his complete control. The purpose of the messages was psychological as well as physical: Ray attempted to convince each captive that resistance was useless and that no one knew where she had been taken. Victims described being drugged before, during and after their captivity. Investigators believed Ray administered sedatives and other substances that caused confusion and memory loss. Women who survived sometimes retained only fragmented memories of what had happened. Ray could then abandon or return a victim while hoping that she would be unable to identify him, remember the location or provide investigators with a coherent account. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Kelli Garrett , Date of Death: 1996-07

Survivors:

Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo , Date of Attack: 1999

David Parker Ray - Wikipedia