Alexis Marion Elling, 24, will not serve additional jail time after pleading guilty to aiding an offender and accessory after the fact in the 2023 death of Rodney Pendegayosh Jr. Elling had already spent nearly a year in jail for her role in helping her boyfriend, 23-year-old Bradley Allen Weyaus Jr., move Pendegayosh’s dismembered body. Elling assisted Weyaus in transporting the victim’s body, which was found in a tote bag, and helped dispose of a shotgun case. As part of her plea agreement, the judge stayed the 57-month jail sentence on the condition that Elling complies with her probation, including staying clean of alcohol and drugs. She was credited for the 324 days she had already served in jail.
Details of the Crime
Elling admitted that she knew her boyfriend had murdered Pendegayosh and that the body was in the tote bag they were moving. Authorities recovered Pendegayosh’s remains along a snowy road after the couple moved the body across several locations over a period of days. Elling kept track of the bag for two days before authorities discovered the remains.
Weyaus’ Sentence and Attorney’s Claims
Weyaus was sentenced to 306 months (25 years and six months) in prison for the second-degree murder of Pendegayosh. His attorney attributed his actions to a history of generational trauma, systemic neglect, and personal abuse. According to the attorney’s statement, Weyaus struggled with depression, PTSD, and addiction, stemming from a traumatic childhood filled with abuse and instability. The lawyer argued that the trauma and his reliance on methamphetamine played a role in his actions.
The Murder Investigation
Authorities reported that the couple believed Pendegayosh had sold fentanyl-laced meth to Elling’s brother, leading to his death. The case was described as unusual by Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton, who noted that the body was moved multiple times over a span of several days before it was discovered.
Pendegayosh’s body was found in a tote bag along a snowy highway by a public works crew in March 2023. A severed foot was visible, leading them to contact police. Authorities later found evidence connecting the couple to the crime, including a white Saturn vehicle believed to be driven by Weyaus, as well as a hacksaw, hammer, black tape, and a bloody carpet. Surveillance footage also showed the suspects transporting the body prior to its discovery.
Investigation and Arrest
Weyaus initially fled the scene but was later captured when police found his vehicle stuck in a driveway. The homeowner directed authorities to a camper trailer where Weyaus was hiding. A duffel bag found with him contained items like a hacksaw and black tape, matching those found on the tote bag. Further evidence, such as Pendegayosh’s ID and credit card, were discovered in the dumpster at Weyaus’ apartment.
The crime has left investigators stunned by its unusual and gruesome nature, with the shocking details continuing to unfold as the investigation progresses.
