David Parker Ray was born on November 6, 1939, in Belen, New Mexico. His childhood was difficult, marked by financial struggles and living with his strict grandparents. His father, who was violent and an alcoholic, would visit occasionally and bring young David sadomasochistic pornographic magazines. Ray's experiences at school were also tough, as he was often bullied for his shyness, especially around girls. To cope, he turned to alcohol and drugs. By his teenage years, Ray's disturbing sexual fantasies, which involved the torture and murder of women, began to take shape. He started drawing these fantasies and collecting related images.

David Parker Ray, known as the "Toy-Box Killer," was a notorious serial killer from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. He gained his horrifying nickname from a trailer he outfitted specifically for torturing his victims, calling it his "toy box." Inside, he had a collection of tools designed to inflict pain and terror, making his crimes even more chilling. Ray, along with his accomplices, including his girlfriend Cindy Hendy, would kidnap women and subject them to unspeakable horrors.

Ray's method was systematic and terrifying. He would often drug his victims to keep them compliant and disoriented. Upon waking up in his "toy box," the women would find themselves restrained and unable to escape. Ray would then play recordings he made, detailing the gruesome experiences that awaited them. These recordings served to psychologically torture the victims even before the physical torment began. He used a variety of cruel devices, including whips, chains, and medical instruments, to inflict pain over days or even weeks.

The true extent of Ray's crimes came to light in 1999 when a victim named Cynthia Vigil managed to escape. She had been held captive for three days and suffered horrific abuse. Her brave escape and subsequent reporting to the police led to Ray's arrest. During the investigation, authorities found the "toy box" and were shocked by its contents. Despite the severity of his crimes, Ray was convicted of several counts of kidnapping and torture but never faced murder charges due to lack of concrete evidence. He died of a heart attack in 2002, leaving many questions unanswered and numerous potential victims undiscovered.