Connecticut Man Charged with Murder After Allegedly Killing Wife, Shooting Mother-in-Law

A Connecticut man is behind bars after authorities say he brutally attacked his wife and mother-in-law, leaving one dead and traumatizing their young children.

Christopher Raye, 45, was arrested and charged with murder, assault, and multiple firearm offenses after allegedly stabbing his wife, Bryana Raye, 30, to death and shooting her mother in their New Britain home on Jan. 27.

Authorities were alerted after a terrifying phone call from Pennsylvania, where a woman—who had been speaking with Bryana's mother—overheard the horrific incident unfold in real-time.

A Desperate Call for Help Before the Attack

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Hartford Courant, Bryana’s mother had been on the phone with the Pennsylvania woman while out with Bryana and her two children. When they returned home, the woman overheard screaming, a scuffle, and gunshots.

During the call, Bryana’s mother allegedly shouted for help, saying, “He beat her, call 911!” Moments later, Bryana was heard pleading, “No, Chris, don’t!” before the woman on the phone heard four to six loud gunshots.

A Horrific Scene Unfolds

When police arrived, they found Bryana’s mother suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder in the living room. In the bedroom, Bryana lay lifeless, stabbed multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another family member, who had been in another room playing video games, reported witnessing the attack. He told authorities he saw Christopher Raye on top of Bryana, stabbing her with a bloody knife, while their two children stood nearby, watching in horror. The man quickly removed the children from the room before confronting Raye and ordering him to leave.

A Fugitive on the Run

After the attack, Raye fled the scene in his truck, shutting off his cellphones to avoid being tracked. Hours later, at around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m., he reportedly called an associate from his landscaping business and admitted to doing something “very un-normal” and “crazy.”

Despite his efforts to disappear, police located Raye the next day, walking along a road, and took him into custody without incident.

Charges and Upcoming Court Appearance

Raye has been charged with:

• Murder

• First-degree assault with a firearm

• Two counts of risk of injury to a child

• Criminal possession of a firearm

• Criminal use of a weapon

• Misdemeanor illegal discharge of a firearm

He is currently being held on a $1 million bond and will appear in court for arraignment on February 20.