Who is David Parker Ray? Toy-Box Killer Bio: Wife, Age, Interview, Net Worth, Survivor, Children, Victims, Documentary

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Biography

David Parker Ray, known infamously as the “Toy-Box Killer,” was born in Belen, New Mexico, on November 6, 1939. His early life was marked by a troubled upbringing in a dysfunctional family with an abusive, alcoholic father—a background often linked to his later criminal behavior.

Ray’s criminal activities are believed to have begun in the late 1950s, with his most notorious crimes occurring in the 1990s. He abducted, sexually tortured, and raped women in a soundproofed trailer he referred to as his “toy box.” This sinister chamber was outfitted with an array of tools designed for torture, where he subjected his victims to horrific physical and psychological abuse and, in some cases, potentially murder.

The full extent of Ray‘s crimes came to light in 1999 when one of his victims, Cynthia Vigil, escaped and alerted authorities. This led to his arrest and eventual conviction on charges of kidnapping and torture, earning him a sentence of 224 years in prison. Despite testimonies and accusations suggesting he may have killed up to 60 women, no bodies were ever recovered, and he was never formally charged with murder.

David Parker Ray died of a heart attack on May 28, 2002, while incarcerated, just before he was scheduled for further police questioning.

David Parker Ray
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	David Parker Ray
Stage Name:	Toy-Box Killer
Born:	6 November 1939 (age 54 years old)
Place of Birth:	Belen, New Mexico, United States
Died:	28 May 2002 (age 62 years), Lea County Correctional Facility, Hobbs, New Mexico, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Mountainair High School
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Cecil Ray, Nettie Ray
Siblings:	Peggie Pearl Ray
Spouse:	Cindy Hendy
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Glenda Jean “Jesse” Ray
Occupation:	Serial Killer
Net Worth:	$?? (USD)

Early Life & Education

David Parker Ray was born on November 6, 1939, in Belen, New Mexico, United States. His early life was marked by instability and hardship, factors often cited as contributing to his later criminal behavior.

Ray was of Caucasian descent. While his religious beliefs are not well-documented, it is likely that religious practices were not a significant part of his upbringing, given the chaotic dynamics of his family life.

His father, Cecil Leland Ray, was a mechanic with a history of violent behavior and alcoholism. Cecil exposed David to sadomasochistic pornography at a young age, a formative experience that profoundly influenced Ray’s psyche. Due to financial instability, Ray’s mother, Nettie Ray Opal Parker, left him and his younger sister, Peggie Pearl Ray, in the care of their maternal grandparents, who took on the role of primary caregivers.

David attended Mountainair High School in Mountainair, New Mexico, where he struggled with social awkwardness, particularly around girls, making him a target for bullying. This social rejection compounded his feelings of isolation, leading him to turn to alcohol and drugs as a teenager.

After graduating, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an auto mechanic and receiving an honorable discharge. While his military service provided a brief period of structure in his life, it did little to address his burgeoning sadistic tendencies.

Career

David Parker Ray‘s professional life included various roles, but it is overshadowed by his notorious criminal activities. After graduating from Mountainair High School, Ray pursued work as an auto mechanic, a skill he inherited from his father. This expertise carried over to his time in the United States Army, where he served as an auto mechanic and received an honorable discharge.

Following his military service, Ray resumed work in mechanical trades and later took a job as a maintenance worker for the New Mexico Parks Department. This role provided him with mobility and access to remote areas—an opportunity he would exploit for his heinous crimes. His position lent him a façade of respectability, masking the sinister double life he led.

Ray’s most infamous undertaking was constructing a soundproof trailer, dubbed the “toy box,” which he outfitted with devices for sexual torture. He used this space to abduct, abuse, and potentially murder women, although the full extent of his crimes remains uncertain. His ability to remain undetected for years was likely aided by the ordinary appearance of his work and lifestyle.

In 1999, Ray’s criminal activities were exposed after one of his victims managed to escape and alert authorities. He was convicted of kidnapping and torture, receiving a sentence of over 223 years in prison. Despite suspicions of numerous murders, no bodies were ever recovered, and he was not formally charged with homicide. Ray died in 2002 while serving his sentence, leaving many questions about his crimes unanswered.

Survivors

Yes, victims did survive David Parker Ray‘s horrific crimes. The most notable survivor is Cynthia Vigil, who in March 1999, managed to escape from Ray‘s “toy box” torture chamber in Elephant Butte, New Mexico. Vigil was abducted by Ray while working as a sex worker in Albuquerque. After three days of being subjected to torture, she escaped when Ray left for work, overpowering Ray‘s accomplice, Cindy Hendy, and fleeing to nearby residences for help. Her escape led directly to Ray‘s arrest, which brought his crimes to light.

Another survivor, Kelli Garrett, was kidnapped by Ray with assistance from his daughter, Jesse Ray. Garrett was tortured but later released after being drugged, which left her with limited memory of the ordeal. She reported the incident to the police, but initially, her claims were not taken seriously.

These survivors were instrumental in exposing Ray‘s activities, although the full extent of his victims might never be known due to the drugs he used to erase memories and the lack of physical evidence for many of the alleged murders. Their testimonies helped in the conviction of Ray for kidnapping and sexual torture.

Personal Life

David Parker Ray experienced four marriages, all ending in divorce, reflecting the instability in his personal life. His first marriage included a confession to his wife about a murder in 1957, though detailed information about his other marital relationships is limited. These marriages were likely strained by Ray‘s dark and violent inclinations.

Ray fathered at least two children. His daughter, Glenda Jean “Jesse” Ray, became involved in his criminal activities, assisting in the kidnapping of a victim named Kelli Garrett. Another daughter is mentioned, though specifics about her involvement or life are not widely known.

In terms of significant relationships outside of marriage, Cindy Hendy stands out. Ray met Hendy in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and she soon became his accomplice in crime.

Hendy was involved in the abduction and torture of victims, including Cynthia Vigil, whose escape led to Ray‘s arrest. Hendy was convicted for her participation in these crimes but served less than half her sentence before her release in 2019.

Net Worth

David Parker Ray‘s net worth at the time of his death is challenging to determine accurately due to the secretive nature of his financial situation, particularly given his criminal background. He had legitimate sources of income from his work as an auto mechanic in the Army and later as a maintenance man for the New Mexico Parks Department, which would have provided a modest income.

The extent of any financial gain from his criminal activities, such as potentially selling victims or other illicit actions, remains speculative without concrete evidence or detailed public records. He owned property in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, where his crimes took place, which included the notorious “toy box” trailer. While this property ownership indicates some level of financial stability, it doesn’t necessarily equate to significant personal wealth.

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