THE TOYBOX KILLER

THE SURVIVOR'S STORIES

Kelli Garrett- In an emotionally charged courtroom, 26-year-old Kelly Garrett testified against David Parker Ray, recounting her harrowing abduction and abuse. Despite initial hesitation and visible trauma, Kelly bravely identified Ray as her captor and detailed the events leading up to her kidnapping. After a night of socializing with friends and acquaintances, she accepted a ride from Jesse Ray, David’s daughter, who took her to her father’s home. There, Kelly was threatened with a knife and restrained in a trailer where she endured physical and psychological abuse. Her testimony described being tied to a bench and later released by Ray, who claimed involvement in a satanic group. Confused and traumatized, Kelly struggled to find support, with even her husband’s family rejecting her upon her return. Her narrative, though painful, offered a crucial glimpse into the manipulation, cruelty, and suffering inflicted by Ray, contributing significantly to the prosecution’s case.

Angelica Montano- Angélica Montano’s story is a harrowing account of survival, resilience, and systemic failure. After escaping a dangerous life in Albuquerque, she sought safety in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, for the sake of her young son. But in February 1999, her pursuit of a better life was violently derailed when she was abducted and tortured for four days by sadistic predator David Parker Ray and his accomplice Cindy Hendy. Though she escaped and reported the assault to police, her claims were dismissed due to her past struggles with addiction, allowing Ray to continue his crimes. It wasn’t until another victim, Cynthia Vigil, escaped and went public that Angélica came forward again—helping to expose Ray’s pattern of abuse. Her courage was instrumental in building the case against him, but her initial dismissal by authorities highlights a devastating failure to protect vulnerable women. Angélica’s story is not just one of survival, but also a powerful indictment of a justice system that failed to believe and act when it mattered most..

Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo- One night while Cynthia was walking the streets trying to earn enough money to live she spotted Ray in an old Camper truck just staring at her and the other girls around. He didn’t make a move to come closer or say anything to them but the way he was staring made her feel uneasy. Cynthia came to the man that usually watched over the girls and voiced her concerns about the man. She was told that he was a regular and to just go talk to him, that he was nice. Cynthia ended up getting into the van and discovering that Ray’s Girlfriend Cindy Hendy was in the back seat where she couldn’t see her until she got in. After driving for a bit and an intense conversation with the couple Cindy Hendy then tried to strangle Cynthia and covered her mouth. She woke up several hours later in a small room strapped down to a table unable to move. A video began playing on the television in the corner and over the next three hours Cynthia had to endure hearing her capturers voice explain in a calm menacing voice exactly where she was and what was happening. After what felt like years to Cynthia she would finally see her chance of escaping. She had been brought into Ray’s home while he was away at work with Cindy Hendy keeping an eye on her. When Cindy stepped into the next room to take a phone call Cynthia was determined to reach the keys on the side table that would unlock the only obstacle standing between her and freedom. Just as she was about to escape Cindy came charging into the room and a battle began, Cynthia knew that this was her only chance. After an exhausting fight Cynthia finally got to the keys and ran out the door. She kept running until she made it to the police station where she knew that the fight for her life was over and she finally felt close to safe.

Updates on the Toybox Killer: He's Dead!
On May 28, 2002, Ray was transported to the Lea County Correctional Facility in Hobbs, New Mexico, to be questioned by state police. He died of a heart attack before the scheduled interrogation took place,at the age of 62.

THE STORY

David Parker Ray, born on November 6, 1939, was the son of Leland Ray and Nettie Opal Parker. His father was abusive and harsh, leaving a sporadic yet damaging presence in David's life that fostered a fascination with domination and control. In contrast, his mother largely absent, prioritizing her religion over her children. David's upbringing was steeped in strict religious expectations, with his grandparents rigid rules that led to severe punishments for any deviations. This oppressive environment David's understanding of relationships, replacing love and compassion with a transactional mindset and a belief that failure warranted punishment. He later expressed an interview, “There really wasn’t much love in my childhood.” David's early exposure to graphic pornography, introduced by his father, sparked disturbing fantasies about violence towards women. Throughout his life, he married multiple times, having a son in 1960 while in the U.S. Army, and a daughter, Gl Jean Ray, in 1966 with his third wife, before abandoning them three later. In the 1970s, he began amassing a collection of sexual paraphernalia, marking the start of a chilling descent into crime.

Outside of the double-wide trailer, where Ray resided, was a smaller one that looked like it would be used to transport cargo. This small trailer was 15x25 feet and what was inside could be described as the inside of David Parker Ray’s haunted and deranged fantasies. The trailer was equipped with several nightmarish instruments, costing over $100,000, that he used to inflicted pain on dozens of women. Inside there was a television mounted on the right-hand corner where 5 he would force his victims to watch the torture being inflicted upon them. He had photos and hand drawn pictures of women being abused far beyond what anyone could ever imagine. Also included in the trailer, “He had a list of sixteen techniques for brainwashing someone, which included isolation, fear tactics, abuse, and occasional small favors — the best way to make a slave malleable. She never knew what to expect.” (Katherine Ramsland, 2015). When a victim had been placed into the “toy-box” they would first be played a tape that featured David’s calm and chilling voice describing every horrifying detail of the events that were about to occur. This tape lasted over three torturous hours while the victim had no choice but to lie there, paralyzed with fear, strapped to a gynecologist’s table. While this scene seems terrifying and something that only the worst nightmares could muster up, this was only the beginning of the endless torture that was to come.

Cynthia Vigil Jaramillo was the final victim and survivor of David Parker Ray’s reign of terror over Elephant Butte, New Mexico. After her heroic escape, Cynthia ran to the authorities to report the horror that she had endured over the past three days. The police searched Ray’s home and trailer, finding a significant amount of evidence, enough to bring the case to trial. While giving her testimony to the jury, the prosecution began to worry that Cynthia’s account of events may not be taken seriously due to her occupation as a sex worker. They were afraid that the jurors would hold a bias against her and feel as though the acts committed to her weren’t completely involuntary. They need to gain more witness accounts to strengthen their case. Just a short time after Cynthia came forward, describing the horrid and crude torture she was forced to endure, other survivors began to come in and recount their own testimonies. These 6 women were 27-year-old Angie Montano and Kelly Garrett. These brave women coming forward would bring the downfall of David Parker Ray.