A Minnesota father, Bryan Demarais, has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Kayla Demarais, in a violent attack that took place in December 2023. The shooting, which occurred in front of the couple’s two children, followed a heated argument about Kayla’s extramarital affair. Bryan Demarais pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony child endangerment, and he will spend about 19 years behind bars, serving the remaining time on supervised release.
The Crime and Investigation
The deadly incident occurred on the morning of December 28, 2023, when Bryan Demarais shot his wife in the head with a .22-caliber handgun during an argument at their home in Meeker County, Minnesota. In a chilling turn, Demarais himself called 911 to report the murder, stating, “I would like to report a murder,” and admitting that he had “just shot his wife.” He explained to dispatchers that he had shot her in the head several times during a confrontation, and he also requested that their two children be removed from the house without seeing their mother’s body.
When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Demarais was seen exiting the house and was immediately arrested. Inside, police found Kayla Demarais, who was pronounced dead at the scene from at least one gunshot wound to the head.
Motive Behind the Murder
During police interviews, Bryan Demarais admitted to being angry and upset over his wife’s extramarital affair and the couple’s ongoing marital problems. He revealed that, earlier that morning, he had discovered messages on Kayla’s phone between her and the man she was seeing. According to Demarais, seeing the messages enraged him further, prompting him to accuse his wife of cheating and yell at her about their failing relationship. He also claimed that he became even angrier when she tried to call him on his way to work but that he did not answer the phone. Demarais said he couldn’t remember anything after declining her calls.
Bryan later returned home from work early, where he and Kayla got into another heated argument, which escalated to violence. Their two children, an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, witnessed the argument and heard multiple gunshots. They reported hearing their mother scream and seeing her fall to the ground after being shot.
Child Endangerment and Legal Sentencing
In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Bryan Demarais also pleaded guilty to two counts of felony child endangerment for the trauma his children experienced while witnessing the murder. As part of his plea deal, Demarais will serve 30 years in prison, with about 19 years to be served in prison and the remaining time on supervised release. His sentence reflects the severity of the crime, which occurred in front of the couple’s children.
The Impact on the Family
Kayla Demarais is remembered as a devoted mother and wife, and her tragic death has left a profound impact on both her family and her community. Her foster sister spoke out about the devastation caused by Kayla’s loss, acknowledging the emotional toll it had on both families. “When you consider all the losses, my niece and nephew they lost their mom. My foster sister Victoria and I, we lost our sister,” said Tracey Coleman, adding that Bryan’s mother also lost her son in a different way, as he would now face decades in prison.
The Children’s Trauma
The children, who were in the home at the time of the murder, witnessed the horrific event and were left with lasting emotional scars. The 8-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy were fortunately not physically harmed, but the trauma of seeing their mother shot and killed in front of them will likely affect them for the rest of their lives. The case has drawn attention to the psychological impact on children who witness domestic violence and its aftermath.
The murder of Kayla Demarais by her husband, Bryan Demarais, highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the emotional toll it takes on those involved, especially children. Bryan Demarais’ life sentence reflects the severity of the crime he committed, taking the life of his wife in front of their children. The case also underscores the importance of early intervention in domestic disputes, and the need for support for families affected by such violence.
