PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — The family of a Bonney Lake woman who was fatally shot at her child’s father’s apartment complex told KOMO News they pleaded with her not to go to that apartment alone.
Kayla Vallee, 40, died from multiple gunshot wounds on Dec. 9. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department (PCSD), Vallee died while picking up her 10-year-old son during a heated custody exchange.
Vallee's family told KOMO News she was in the process of filing a contempt of custody declaration against the boy's father. As a result, family members said they worried about her safety as she left to pick up her son alone that Saturday morning.
"I begged her. I said, ‘Kayla, please don’t go into that apartment alone.' And she said, ‘Mom, this might be my last chance to get my son back,'" said Christine Kingsbury, Vallee's mother. "Maybe she should’ve been more nervous, but she was blinded by her love for her son."
It would be the last time Vallee's family would ever see her alive.
Hours later, they said they watched in horror as Vallee's ex-boyfriend unexpectedly dropped his son off in their driveway with no sight of Vallee. They said the child's father then sped off and refused to take their calls regarding Vallee's whereabouts.
“We panicked and started calling (Vallee), calling 911, calling everybody," said Thomas Proulx, Vallee's stepfather.
Vallee's family told KOMO News her ex-boyfriend was verbally abusive and often explosive.
"He would be really nice and sweet, and then two days later, the switch would flip," noted Kingsbury.
As a result, Vallee's family said they are convinced he lured her to the apartment with the intent of harming her.
“He convinced her she was going there to have a little family talk," said Kingsbury.
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"We think (the murder) happened upon her pretty much going in," added Proulx. "We don’t believe she was ever even able to speak."
Vallee’s family eventually requested a welfare check in Buckley because they could not reach her. Vallee’s car was eventually found in the parking lot of the apartment complex where her son's father lived. After entering the complex, PCSD deputies said they found Vallee dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Vallee's family said her death likely happened as her 10-year-old son was asleep in that same apartment. The boy was unhurt.
Hours later, deputies located Vallee's ex-boyfriend as he sat in his car in Buckley. The PCSD told KOMO News the man refused to come out, resulting in a SWAT standoff. They said the incident ended when he was shot with a stun gun.
The 42-year-old man was taken to the hospital for several days before being booked into the Pierce County jail Thursday afternoon. As of Thursday night, he still hadn't officially been charged with Vallee's murder, so KOMO News is not yet naming him.
Vallee's family added that they are planning a candlelight vigil for her on Saturday, Dec. 16, outside the apartment complex where she was shot and killed.
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Family remembers Pierce County mother who was murdered during child custody exchange - KOMO News
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