‘Toy Box Killer’ investigation in N.M. recovers human bones
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News that human bones had been discovered at a New Mexico reservoir led authorities to resume their search this week for remains of possible victims of the man known as the ‘Toy Box Killer,’ convicted a decade ago of sexually torturing women.
Also this week, the FBI posted hundreds images online of items that were collected during their investigation. An FBI spokesman told The Times that the items had already led to new tips.
Investigators returned to the Elephant Butte reservoir on Tuesday after learning that a visitor had discovered parts of a human femur and other bones on the eastern side of the lake about a month ago, according to Frank Fisher, a spokesman for the FBI’s Albuquerque office.
The FBI, New Mexico State Police and Albuquerque police searched the lake unsuccessfully last week for remains of missing victims of David Parker Ray.
Ray, who died behind bars in 2002 while serving more than 223 years in prison for sexual torture, claimed to have more victims. He is believed to have buried them near the lake, within sight of his former residence in the town of Truth or Consequences. But no bodies have ever been found.
Investigators spent about five hours Tuesday searching the area where the leg bones were found, but turned up no more evidence of remains, Fisher said. The bones are ‘extremely weathered,’ Fisher said, making it difficult for a forensic anthropologist to determine their age. He said they would be sent to the office of the medical investigator and possibly an FBI lab in Quantico, Va., for further analysis.
Ray was arrested in 1999 after a woman fled his trailer wearing only a dog collar and chain. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and rape and was also convicted of kidnapping and torturing a Colorado woman. A search of his trailer revealed surgical tools and a makeshift coffin.
Fisher said investigators planned to return to the lake soon to continue their search.
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--Molly Hennessy-Fiske in Houston