Woman in disbelief after co-parenting children with accused killer
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The ex-girlfriend of the man accused of killing his girlfriend’s son and putting his remains in a freezer is speaking out exclusively to 8 News Now.
Marylee Ruiz is Brandon Toseland’s ex-girlfriend. She is also the mother of his two children.
On Feb. 22, police were called to Toseland’s home in the northeast valley after an employee from an elementary school made a frantic call to 911. The employee told the dispatcher that a student had given a teacher a note from her mother saying she was being held against her will.
According to the employee, the child’s mother also wrote that she did not know what had happened to her 4-year-old son but believed he might be dead.
While approaching the house, officers stopped Toseland, 35, with his girlfriend in the car. Police said they found a set of handcuffs where the girlfriend was sitting in the vehicle and that Toseland was holding her phone.
A short time later, the 4-year-old, Mason Dominguez, was found deceased in a freezer in Toseland’s garage. Detectives later found a suspected grave in the backyard.
Ruiz is trying to figure out what she missed in the weeks leading up to Toseland’s arrest. Ruiz and Toseland share two children, and although they have been separated for five years, she said they did their best to co-parent.
She recalls weekly drop-offs with Toseland as quick, and easy, noting Toseland’s girlfriend was always by his side.
“I saw them both all the time,” Ruiz said. “He would normally get out of the car, let the kids out. I could see her in the car, the kids would come and we would leave.”
The last drop-off was President’s Day weekend, a moment in time Ruiz said she will never forget.
“She gave no indication of anything; she never gave any inclination that she needed any sort of help or assistance,” Ruiz tells 8 News Now.
“I am still in shock I don’t have any answers,” Ruiz said.
Police arrested Toseland on charges of kidnapping and murder. In addition to Mason’s death, police said Toseland held Mason’s mother and 7-year-old sister captive.
Through an attorney, Mason’s mother said Toseland threatened her with weapons. She also said Toseland locked her up and set up surveillance cameras to watch her every move.
“It’s just appalling to everything that happened,” Ruiz said. She said she is still trying to figure out how the Toseland she knows is so different from the one police are describing him as.
“He was really big on getting them books, swimming, he wanted to provide and be there for them,” Ruiz told 8 News Now.
According to Ruiz, her children have not shared what they may have seen inside Toseland’s home.
Toseland is expected to appear in court on April 7 for a preliminary hearing that will determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.