Bryan William Demarais: Minnesota man arrested for killing his wife in front of their children over an alleged affair

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A Minnesota man has been arrested for reportedly taking the life of his wife during an argument over an alleged affair, shooting her in front of their two children before dialing the police and telling the dispatcher, “I would like to report a murder.”

Bryan William Demarais, 35, was taken into custody last week and charged with one count of second-degree murder in the slaying of 29-year-old Kayla Demarais, authorities announced. The two children, an eight-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, were left unharmed.

When were the authorities informed about the incident?

According to a press release, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an emergency call regarding a shooting at a residence located in the 22000 block of 713th Avenue at about 10.15 am on December 28. The caller allegedly identified himself as Bryan Demarais and told the dispatcher, “I would like to report a murder,” explaining that he “had just shot his wife.”

Demarais told the dispatchers that he shot his wife in the head several times with his .22 caliber handgun during a heated argument, per Minneapolis NBC affiliate KARE. He also asked authorities to make sure that their two children were taken out of the house through a window in the bedroom because he did not want them to see their mother’s bullet-riddled body. 

By then, Demarais agreed to empty his pockets and surrender to law enforcement.

What did the authorities find upon arrival?

Upon arriving at the scene, first responders said they encountered Bryan Demarais exiting the home and immediately took him into custody. Deputies then entered the home where they found Kayla Demarais, who appeared to have suffered at least one gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Demarais told police he suffers from multiple medical issues that qualify him for caregiver services, adding that his wife was his designated caregiver, Minnesota CBS affiliate WCCO reported. After being read his Miranda rights, police said he agreed to be questioned by detectives.

What did Bryan William Demarais say during the interrogation?

During questioning, he reportedly explained that he and his wife had argued the previous night about various marital issues, including financial hardships and Kayla Demarais allegedly having an extramarital affair.

According to Bryan Demarais, the following morning he looked at his wife’s phone and found text messages between her and the man she was allegedly having an affair with. He reportedly then spoke to the two children before leaving for work, telling them that he and their mom were getting a divorce because she was having an affair.

Demarais was allowed to leave work early after he showed up 15 minutes late and spoke to his supervisor about his wife’s alleged cheating and their impending divorce, Saint Paul ABC affiliate KSTP reported. The supervisor told police that Demarais appeared “distraught.”

The couple’s children reportedly told police that their father came home from work early while they were playing video games and made them a snack. Both kids reportedly said they heard their parents get into a big argument and then heard multiple gunshots, before hearing their mother scream and seeing her fall to the ground. Their father then reportedly yelled for the children to close the door to their bedroom.

Bryan Demarais is currently being held without bond in the Meeker County Jail. A GoFundMe page was created to raise money for the couple’s children and Kayla Demarais’ funeral services.