Slow Death:. James Fielder
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Dear Reader:
Some crime cases continue to haunt us long after the jury has returned its verdict. Violent in the extreme, the David Parker Ray case is one of the most shocking of all.
Beside New Mexico’s Elephant Butte Lake stood a windowless trailer that Ray called “the Toy Box.” The homemade torture chamber was lavishly equipped with whips, chains, pulleys, surgical blades—and a camcorder, set up for making “snuff” videos.
On March 22, 1999, a desperate victim escaped from the Toy Box, clad only in a slave collar and padlocked chains. Another brave survivor came forward to describe her ordeal. And soon authorities uncovered horrifying evidence of an orgy of bloodshed that may have taken more than sixty lives.
Yet, the David Parker Ray story did not end with his trial, conviction, and sentencing—or with his death in prison. As recently as 2012, new evidence pointed to additional victims.
Sadly, author Jim Fielder did not live to update the story to which he devoted so many years of research and writing. Having had the privilege of getting to know Jim while we prepared his book for publication, I knew he would want his saga of crime and justice to reach a new audience through an updated edition.
Fortunately, veteran crime writer Sheila Johnson was able to step in on Jim’s behalf. Her new update will fascinate all who have followed the Ray story over the years—and anyone, too, who is interested in the good and evil in human nature.
Already a long-term bestseller, Slow Death will enthrall and amaze you. Sit back and enjoy a page-turning story, told by two of America’s finest investigative journalists.
If you would like to comment on Slow Death, we’d love to hear from you at [email protected].
With my best wishes,
Michaela Hamilton
Executive Editor, Pinnacle True Crime
SLOW DEATH
JIM FIELDER
PINNACLE BOOKS
Kensington Publishing Corp. http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
Title Page Dedication ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PROLOGUE CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10 CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 13 CHAPTER 14 CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 16 CHAPTER 17 CHAPTER 18 CHAPTER 19 CHAPTER 20 CHAPTER 21 CHAPTER 22 CHAPTER 23 CHAPTER 24 CHAPTER 25 CHAPTER 26 CHAPTER 27 CHAPTER 28 CHAPTER 29 CHAPTER 30 CHAPTER 31 CHAPTER 32 CHAPTER 33 CHAPTER 34 EPILOGUE UPDATE 2013 EPILOGUE AFTERWORD ABOUT THE AUTHORS Copyright Page
DEDICATION
To my mother, Marjorie Fielder,
who never lost faith in me.
To my father, Jim “Ed” Fielder,
who taught me how to fight back.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to all my friends in New Mexico, especially Jim Yontz, Lee McMillian, Frances (Baird) Sanchez, and Connie Burch.
I worked on this book for nearly four years. I could not have finished writing such a difficult book without the help and support of my family and friends. Thanks to M’Lissa Fielder, Sydney Trussler, Nichole Lungren, Tommy Moreno, Terry Eggers, Jonathan Stenberg, Eric Larsen, Terry Lee Walker, Melissa Danforth, Karl Blatt, Stu Dixon, Bob Pyle, Dick Smith, Gary Schaefer, David Mack, Joel Seidel, Bob Westling, Greg Coy, Larry Hoof, Kevin Huff, Rebecca Kelly, Janet Lizop, and, finally, my dear friend Allen Nickelson.
Over the years I’ve studied with many fine writing teachers. Thanks to Fan Gates, Leon Arksey, Leonardo Bercovici, and Al Hikida.
Every writer needs a big break to get published. I want to thank the following editors and writers who helped me find my way through the “dog-eat-dog” world of publishing: Craig Lewis, Gregg Olsen, Judy Alexander, Paul Dinas, and Michaela Hamilton.
Books don’t get written without coffee. I spent many hours at a local Starbucks dreaming up my approach to telling the David Parker Ray story. Thanks to the people who poured my Colombian “short drip” every day—Courtney, Rachael, Lindsey, Joey, Jill, Liz, John, Ken, Ashley, Kristen, Andrea, and Mary.
And,