David Parker Ray
Serial Kidnapper and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Elephant Butte, New Mexico
TIME PERIOD
1957-1999
VICTIMS
60 confirmed
David Parker Ray, also known as the Toy-Box Killer, was an American kidnapper and serial rapist who operated in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, from 1957 until his apprehension on March 22, 1999. He is suspected of kidnapping, torturing, and sexually assaulting numerous women, with claims of up to 60 potential murders; however, no bodies or definitive evidence have been found to confirm these allegations. Ray was sentenced to 223 years in prison but died in custody on May 28, 2002, leaving the case largely unresolved.
Theories surrounding David Parker Ray suggest that he may have murdered up to 60 women, as indicated by accusations from accomplices and the absence of confirmed bodies or evidence linking him to specific murders. The speculation arises from the extreme nature of his crimes and the extensive period over which they occurred, leading some to believe that the true extent of his actions remains unknown. Additionally, the use of accomplices and the methods employed in his "Toy Box" contribute to the theory that he may have had a more extensive network involved in his criminal activities.
The Sinister Tale of David Parker Ray: The Toy-Box Killer
The Man Behind the Moniker
David Parker Ray, a name that would become synonymous with horror, was born on November 6, 1939, in Belen, New Mexico. Known infamously as the "Toy-Box Killer," Ray was an American kidnapper, torturer, serial rapist, and suspected serial killer. Although authorities suspect Ray of murdering up to 60 victims, no bodies were ever found to confirm these suspicions. His reign of terror spanned several decades, primarily taking place in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, often with the assistance of his daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, and his partner, Cindy Hendy.
The Early Years
Ray's upbringing was anything but normal. He and his sister, Peggie Pearl Ray, were raised by their grandparents, Russell and Dolly Parker, on a small ranch due to their family's financial struggles. Ray's father, Cecil Leland Ray, a violent alcoholic, would occasionally visit, bringing with him magazines filled with sadomasochistic pornography. This exposure, coupled with bullying at Mountainair High School for his shyness around girls, led Ray to abuse alcohol and drugs and nurture dark fantasies of sexual violence.
By his teenage years, Ray's fantasies had escalated to include rape, torture, and murder. At just 14, his sister discovered his sadomasochistic drawings, leading to their estrangement. Ray later claimed that he began attacking women during adolescence and even boasted to his first wife about committing murder in 1957, though authorities could not substantiate these claims. After high school, Ray served honorably in the U.S. Army, working as a general mechanic before moving to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where he was employed by the Parks Department.
The "Toy Box" and Victims
Ray's most notorious creation was his "Toy Box," a soundproofed semi-trailer filled with implements of torture. Many victims were kidnapped, held in this hellish chamber for months, subjected to horrific abuse, and then drugged with barbiturates before being released, their memories of the ordeal foggy at best. Ray reveled in these mind games, employing drugs like sodium pentothal and phenobarbital to induce amnesia.
Ray's accomplices included Cindy Hendy, a woman with a criminal past who shared his violent sexual fantasies, and his daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, who had even attempted to alert the FBI to her father's activities in 1986. However, her warnings were too vague to prompt an arrest.
The Arrest and the Evidence
Ray's reign of terror came to an end on March 22, 1999, when one of his captives, Cynthia Vigil, made a daring escape. After three days of captivity, she seized an opportunity when Ray left for work, and Hendy accidentally left keys within reach. Vigil fought off Hendy, enduring a lamp smashed over her head, before fleeing clad only in chains and a slave collar. Her escape led to Ray's arrest and the discovery of his torture chamber.
Angelica Montano, another victim, had previously escaped Ray's clutches but was not believed by authorities until Vigil's escape corroborated her story. Police identified a third victim, Kelli Garrett, from a videotape. Garrett had been kidnapped, tortured, and returned home by Ray, who left her unable to recall the trauma due to his drugging.
Despite the gruesome discoveries, investigators could not find any conclusive human remains, even with the FBI's extensive investigation. Ray's fascination with sexually motivated kidnappings, like that of Colleen Stan, was well-documented, and he had even been questioned by the FBI in 1989 regarding his bondage device business.
Trials and Legal Proceedings
Ray faced multiple trials for his heinous crimes. The first trial, concerning Kelli Garrett, resulted in a mistrial. However, upon retrial, Ray was convicted on all 12 counts. In 2001, Ray accepted a plea bargain, ensuring leniency for his daughter and receiving a 224-year sentence. His daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, received a 30-month sentence followed by five years of probation.
Dennis Roy Yancy, a 27-year-old accomplice, confessed to the 1997 murder of 22-year-old Marie Parker, whom Ray had ordered him to kill. Yancy received a 30-year sentence, though the Rays were never charged with Parker's murder. Cindy Hendy, who testified against Ray, received a 36-year sentence but was released in 2019 after serving her parole in prison.
The End of Ray's Reign
On May 28, 2002, David Parker Ray died of a heart attack at the Lea County Correctional Facility, mere hours before a scheduled police interrogation. His death left many questions unanswered and justice incomplete for his suspected victims.
In the aftermath, Cynthia Vigil, alongside Christine Barber, founded Street Safe New Mexico, a nonprofit aimed at aiding vulnerable populations, drawing from her harrowing experience to prevent others from suffering a similar fate.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia page.
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First Alleged Murder
David Parker Ray claims to have committed his first homicide by kidnapping and murdering a woman.
Victim Escapes
Cynthia Vigil escapes from Ray's trailer after being held captive and tortured, leading to his arrest.
Ray Arrested
David Parker Ray is arrested along with accomplice Cindy Hendy following Vigil's escape.
Mistrial Declared
A mistrial is declared in the first trial for crimes against Kelli Garrett due to juror disbelief.
Plea Bargain
Ray pleads guilty to kidnapping and sexual torture, receiving a sentence of 224 years.
Ray Dies
David Parker Ray dies of a heart attack before a planned police interrogation.
David Parker Ray, also known as the Toy-Box Killer, was an American kidnapper and serial rapist who operated in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, from 1957 until his apprehension on March 22, 1999. He is suspected of kidnapping, torturing, and sexually assaulting numerous women, with claims of up to 60 potential murders; however, no bodies or definitive evidence have been found to confirm these allegations. Ray was sentenced to 223 years in prison but died in custody on May 28, 2002, leaving the case largely unresolved.
Theories surrounding David Parker Ray suggest that he may have murdered up to 60 women, as indicated by accusations from accomplices and the absence of confirmed bodies or evidence linking him to specific murders. The speculation arises from the extreme nature of his crimes and the extensive period over which they occurred, leading some to believe that the true extent of his actions remains unknown. Additionally, the use of accomplices and the methods employed in his "Toy Box" contribute to the theory that he may have had a more extensive network involved in his criminal activities.
The Sinister Tale of David Parker Ray: The Toy-Box Killer
The Man Behind the Moniker
David Parker Ray, a name that would become synonymous with horror, was born on November 6, 1939, in Belen, New Mexico. Known infamously as the "Toy-Box Killer," Ray was an American kidnapper, torturer, serial rapist, and suspected serial killer. Although authorities suspect Ray of murdering up to 60 victims, no bodies were ever found to confirm these suspicions. His reign of terror spanned several decades, primarily taking place in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, often with the assistance of his daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, and his partner, Cindy Hendy.
The Early Years
Ray's upbringing was anything but normal. He and his sister, Peggie Pearl Ray, were raised by their grandparents, Russell and Dolly Parker, on a small ranch due to their family's financial struggles. Ray's father, Cecil Leland Ray, a violent alcoholic, would occasionally visit, bringing with him magazines filled with sadomasochistic pornography. This exposure, coupled with bullying at Mountainair High School for his shyness around girls, led Ray to abuse alcohol and drugs and nurture dark fantasies of sexual violence.
By his teenage years, Ray's fantasies had escalated to include rape, torture, and murder. At just 14, his sister discovered his sadomasochistic drawings, leading to their estrangement. Ray later claimed that he began attacking women during adolescence and even boasted to his first wife about committing murder in 1957, though authorities could not substantiate these claims. After high school, Ray served honorably in the U.S. Army, working as a general mechanic before moving to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where he was employed by the Parks Department.
The "Toy Box" and Victims
Ray's most notorious creation was his "Toy Box," a soundproofed semi-trailer filled with implements of torture. Many victims were kidnapped, held in this hellish chamber for months, subjected to horrific abuse, and then drugged with barbiturates before being released, their memories of the ordeal foggy at best. Ray reveled in these mind games, employing drugs like sodium pentothal and phenobarbital to induce amnesia.
Ray's accomplices included Cindy Hendy, a woman with a criminal past who shared his violent sexual fantasies, and his daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, who had even attempted to alert the FBI to her father's activities in 1986. However, her warnings were too vague to prompt an arrest.
The Arrest and the Evidence
Ray's reign of terror came to an end on March 22, 1999, when one of his captives, Cynthia Vigil, made a daring escape. After three days of captivity, she seized an opportunity when Ray left for work, and Hendy accidentally left keys within reach. Vigil fought off Hendy, enduring a lamp smashed over her head, before fleeing clad only in chains and a slave collar. Her escape led to Ray's arrest and the discovery of his torture chamber.
Angelica Montano, another victim, had previously escaped Ray's clutches but was not believed by authorities until Vigil's escape corroborated her story. Police identified a third victim, Kelli Garrett, from a videotape. Garrett had been kidnapped, tortured, and returned home by Ray, who left her unable to recall the trauma due to his drugging.
Despite the gruesome discoveries, investigators could not find any conclusive human remains, even with the FBI's extensive investigation. Ray's fascination with sexually motivated kidnappings, like that of Colleen Stan, was well-documented, and he had even been questioned by the FBI in 1989 regarding his bondage device business.
Trials and Legal Proceedings
Ray faced multiple trials for his heinous crimes. The first trial, concerning Kelli Garrett, resulted in a mistrial. However, upon retrial, Ray was convicted on all 12 counts. In 2001, Ray accepted a plea bargain, ensuring leniency for his daughter and receiving a 224-year sentence. His daughter, Glenda Jean Ray, received a 30-month sentence followed by five years of probation.
Dennis Roy Yancy, a 27-year-old accomplice, confessed to the 1997 murder of 22-year-old Marie Parker, whom Ray had ordered him to kill. Yancy received a 30-year sentence, though the Rays were never charged with Parker's murder. Cindy Hendy, who testified against Ray, received a 36-year sentence but was released in 2019 after serving her parole in prison.
The End of Ray's Reign
On May 28, 2002, David Parker Ray died of a heart attack at the Lea County Correctional Facility, mere hours before a scheduled police interrogation. His death left many questions unanswered and justice incomplete for his suspected victims.
In the aftermath, Cynthia Vigil, alongside Christine Barber, founded Street Safe New Mexico, a nonprofit aimed at aiding vulnerable populations, drawing from her harrowing experience to prevent others from suffering a similar fate.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Alleged Murder
David Parker Ray claims to have committed his first homicide by kidnapping and murdering a woman.
Victim Escapes
Cynthia Vigil escapes from Ray's trailer after being held captive and tortured, leading to his arrest.
Ray Arrested
David Parker Ray is arrested along with accomplice Cindy Hendy following Vigil's escape.
Mistrial Declared
A mistrial is declared in the first trial for crimes against Kelli Garrett due to juror disbelief.
Plea Bargain
Ray pleads guilty to kidnapping and sexual torture, receiving a sentence of 224 years.
Ray Dies
David Parker Ray dies of a heart attack before a planned police interrogation.