On March 20, 2024, at about 5:29 a.m., 35-year-old Brandy Kay Mathieson of Covelo, California, contacted 911 to report a domestic violence incident and said her 43-year-old boyfriend, Johnathan Lee Draughan, was armed and in the house. Gunshots were heard during the call and Mathieson became unresponsive. Draughan then took the line, admitted to shooting her, and said he would wait for law enforcement. Mendocino County deputies arrived from Willits and took Draughan into custody without incident. Mathieson was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving efforts. The couple’s 2-year-old child was present and later transported to an out-of-county hospital for injuries not related to the shooting.

Investigators documented a history of domestic violence between Mathieson and Draughan. In November 2023 Draughan faced charges for using tear gas against Mathieson and assault causing great bodily injury, and a criminal protective order was issued; the district attorney later moved to dismiss that case for insufficient evidence and the protective order was terminated. Mathieson sought a new protective order in January 2024 that was granted in February but could not be served on Draughan.

Did anyone in Covelo or the surrounding area have information about the couple’s ongoing disputes or attempts to serve the protective order?