Fatal shooting in Dassel Township

The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting death of a woman in Dassel Township. Just after 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, the sheriff’s office received a 9-1-1 call from a man who said he had shot his wife and requested a law enforcement response. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in the 22000 block of 713th Avenue in Dassel Township. They found a woman dead in the home, and took a man into custody.

The victim has been identified as Kayla Demarais, 29 of rural Dassel. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death is a homicide resulting from multiple gunshot wounds.

Bryan Demarais, 35, was arrested on second-degree homicide charges. He is currently being held in the Meeker County Jail pending his first court appearance on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Bryan and Kayla Demarais were married. Two children in the home at the time of the shooting were not hurt, and they are now in protective custody.

This investigation is active and ongoing. There is no threat to the public. The MN BCA and Litchfield Police are assisting with the investigation.

We will provide updates as this story develops.