A Minnesota man has been sentenced to over 25 years in prison for the brutal murder of a man he believed was responsible for delivering a fatal drug overdose to his girlfriend’s brother.
Bradley Allen Weyaus Jr., 23, was sentenced on Thursday to 306 months (25 years and six months) for the second-degree murder of Rodney Pendegayosh Jr.
Weyaus, who pleaded guilty to the murder in May, was convicted of killing Pendegayosh, a 25-year-old man, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a tote bag along a snowy highway in March 2023.
His co-defendant and girlfriend, Alexis Marion Elling, pleaded guilty to aiding an offender and is set to be sentenced after Weyaus’ case concludes.
The Murder and Its Aftermath
According to court documents, Weyaus and Elling believed that Pendegayosh had delivered a deadly combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine to Elling’s brother, which they believed had led to his fatal overdose. The couple’s belief in this assumption ultimately led to a violent act of revenge.
Weyaus and Elling’s crime was anything but typical. Pendegayosh’s dismembered body was discovered by a public works maintenance crew, who found a severed foot protruding from a tote bag bound by bungee cords and tape along a snowy highway.
Authorities later linked the crime to Weyaus and Elling, with surveillance footage showing the couple loading the tote into a car before the body was found.
Investigators discovered further evidence pointing to Weyaus and Elling’s involvement. A hacksaw, hammer, and black tape—matching that found on the tote—were found in Weyaus’ duffel bag, and bloody carpet, gloves, and Pendegayosh’s ID and credit card were found in a dumpster at Weyaus’ apartment.
Blaming Generational Trauma and Drug Abuse
In Weyaus’ sentencing memorandum, his attorney attributed some of his violent behavior to the trauma and difficulties he experienced throughout his life.
Weyaus’ lawyer referenced his Native American heritage, saying his behavior could be partly explained by the “historical and generational trauma, systemic neglect, and the lasting harms of colonization” that have affected Native American communities, including Weyaus’ own.
The attorney also pointed to the abuse Weyaus witnessed during his childhood, including incidents involving his mother and stepfather, as well as being raised in foster homes where he continued to suffer abuse.
These experiences, the defense argued, contributed to his struggles with depression, PTSD, and drug addiction, ultimately leading him to a life of drug dealing to support his addiction.
As Weyaus was raised in an environment filled with trauma and abuse, his attorney argued that these challenges created a cycle of pain and despair.
The court documents revealed that Weyaus turned to meth and alcohol in an attempt to cope with his distress, and his drug dealing only deepened his involvement in the criminal underworld.
Co-Defendant’s Role and Sentencing
Elling, Weyaus’ girlfriend, was also implicated in the crime and charged with aiding an offender. She agreed to testify against Weyaus in exchange for a sentence reduction, and her sentencing will be decided after Weyaus’ case is resolved.
Elling has been granted a stayed sentence of five years in prison, along with up to five years of supervised probation.
A Bizarre and Disturbing Crime
The crime itself was described by Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton as “truly bizarre,” as the victim’s body was moved multiple times over the course of several days before its discovery. The incident shocked the local community, particularly given the gruesome nature of the crime and the involvement of two people who knew the victim.
Bradley Allen Weyaus Jr.’s 25-year sentence marks the end of a tragic chapter in a violent crime that claimed the life of Rodney Pendegayosh Jr. The murder, rooted in drug-related tensions, was exacerbated by the generational trauma and abuse that Weyaus endured throughout his life.
Despite his attempts to blame his actions on his background, the severity of his crime has resulted in a lengthy prison sentence, as he faces the consequences for his role in the death and dismemberment of Pendegayosh.
