Bradley Allen Weyaus Jr., 23, of Minnesota, has been sentenced to 306 months (25 years and six months) in prison for the second-degree murder of Rodney Pendegayosh Jr. Weyaus pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2024.
His crime stemmed from his belief that Pendegayosh was responsible for delivering a lethal mix of fentanyl and meth to his girlfriend’s brother.
The Murder and Investigation
Authorities revealed that Weyaus, along with his girlfriend Alexis Marion Elling, believed Pendegayosh, 25, had supplied the fatal drugs that killed Elling’s brother. This belief led to the violent murder of Pendegayosh.
The crime took place in March 2023, with Pendegayosh’s remains discovered days later by a public works crew along a snowy highway. The body had been stuffed into a tote bag and bound with bungee cords and tape.
Authorities indicated that the crime was highly unusual, with Pendegayosh’s body being moved around multiple locations over several days before it was finally discovered.
Surveillance footage and other evidence led investigators to Weyaus and Elling, ultimately leading to Weyaus’ arrest after he was found hiding in a camper on private property. Authorities also discovered a series of disturbing items, including a hacksaw, hammer, black tape, and other evidence linking Weyaus and Elling to the murder.
Defense and Background
In court, Weyaus’ defense team pointed to his troubled upbringing, noting that his Native American heritage and the generational trauma experienced by his community contributed to his troubled past.
According to his defense, Weyaus was deeply affected by the abuse and instability in his life, including witnessing his mother’s abuse and being raised in foster homes where he continued to suffer trauma. His attorneys argued that these factors, combined with a history of drug addiction, played a significant role in his actions.
Weyaus’ defense also highlighted the psychological toll of these experiences, including depression and PTSD, which his psychiatrist confirmed as being common among many Native Americans who face similar trauma.
Elling’s Role and Sentencing
Elling, who also played a role in the crime, pleaded guilty in February 2024 to aiding an offender. As part of a deal, she agreed to testify against Weyaus in exchange for a stayed sentence of five years in prison, with up to five years of supervised probation. Her sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2024.
Bradley Weyaus’ sentence is a consequence of the violent and strange events surrounding Pendegayosh’s death. His belief that Pendegayosh was responsible for his girlfriend’s brother’s overdose led to a brutal crime and a chain of events that ultimately resulted in his lengthy prison sentence.
The case sheds light on the complex and devastating effects of addiction, trauma, and the dark consequences of misguided beliefs.
