In Dassel, Minnesota, 35-year-old Bryan William Demarais faces charges of second-degree murder and child endangerment.
The charges stem from the alleged murder of his wife, 29-year-old Kayla Demarais, which was witnessed by the couple’s two young children.
On the morning of December 28, 2023, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a chilling 911 call.
The caller, identified as Bryan Demarais, confessed to having shot his wife. He told the emergency dispatcher, “I would like to report a murder.” Concerned for his children, he requested that they be taken out of the house through a bedroom window, wanting to shield them from the gruesome scene.
Upon arrival at the family’s residence in the 22000 block of 713th Avenue, deputies found Kayla Demarais with at least one gunshot wound to the head. Despite lifesaving efforts, she was declared dead at the scene.
The couple’s children, an 11-year-old boy, and an eight-year-old girl were found unharmed in a bedroom and taken into protective custody.
In an interview with law enforcement, after being read his Miranda rights, Bryan Demarais detailed the events leading up to the tragic incident.
He described an argument that had erupted the previous night over financial struggles and his suspicions of his wife’s infidelity.
The heated discussion resumed the following morning, after which he told his children about an impending divorce due to her alleged affair.
Demarais went to work slightly late that morning. He explained his situation to his supervisor, who noticed how distraught he was and advised him to leave. He returned home, leading to a tragic situation.
Court documents indicate that Demarais suffers from anxiety, a sleep disorder, and several medical issues, conditions which might have factored into his behavior.
During the investigation, the children recalled hearing a loud argument between their parents and subsequent gunshots. They witnessed their mother being shot and falling to the ground.
Unconditional bail for Bryan Demarais was set at $3 million, with conditional bail at $1.5 million.
His next court appearance is a hearing scheduled for March 25th, 2024.