Sheriff’s Office: Man suspected of killing ex-girlfriend in front of their 2-year-old child in Mendocino County

A man arrested Wednesday is suspected of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend in front of their 2-year-old child in Mendocino County after an argument, authorities said.

The woman, Brandy Kay Mathieson, 35, of Covelo, had filed for a restraining order against the man, Johnathan Lee Draughan, 43. She called police early Wednesday after he showed up to her home in the 25600 block of Mendocino Pass Road, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Mathieson told dispatchers at about 5:30 a.m. that Draughan had a shotgun and had assaulted her during an argument inside the home, Sheriff’s Office Capt. Quincy Cromer said.

At one point in the call, the dispatcher heard multiple gunshots, and Mathieson stopped talking.

Draughan later picked up the phone and said he shot Mathieson and would wait for law enforcement, Cromer said.

Deputies responded from Willits, about 30 minutes away from the Covelo home. They found Mathieson inside with multiple gunshot wounds.

Deputies and medical personnel performed life-saving measures but Mathieson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 2-year-old had non-life threatening injuries unrelated to the shooting and was taken to a hospital.

Mendocino County Family and Children’s Services are now involved in the child’s care, Cromer said.

Draughan, who had recently moved to Covelo, was arrested on suspicion of homicide and booked into the Mendocino County jail in Ukiah. He is being held in lieu of $600,000 bail.

Authorities recovered the shotgun from the scene.

According to court records, Mathieson filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Draughan on Jan. 30 in Mendocino County Superior Court.

The court issued a five-year protection order about a month later.

As of Feb. 28, the court had not successfully served the order to Draughan, according to records.

You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.