On September 29, 2022, at about 5:00 p.m., New Mexico State Police found 44-year-old Brandi Davis dead from an apparent gunshot wound outside her home at 7051 State Road 518 in Talpa, near Ranchos de Taos. Neighbors reported hearing a gunshot around 3:00 p.m., and surveillance footage showed two shots fired about that time and a man fleeing the area.

Investigators say Davis had been living with her 31-year-old boyfriend, Jeremiah Rael. Police report a prior history of domestic violence: in June 2022 Davis accused Rael of strangling her, but those charges were dismissed in July at Davis’ request. Rael initially fled the scene on September 29 but turned himself in to the New Mexico State Police office in Taos around 9:00 p.m. and was arrested and booked on an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.

Anyone with information about what happened at the residence or who saw activity on State Road 518 the afternoon of September 29 is asked to come forward.