Two males, together with one whose life sentence was commuted by then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, have been charged within the demise of a 14-year-old lady whose physique was present in a rural space 5 days after she went lacking in March.
McKenna Wendel was reported lacking March 13 and final seen alive in her hometown of Sioux Falls early on March 14. Her physique was discovered outdoors Brookings, an hour’s drive north of Sioux Falls, on March 19.
Wendel’s uncle, Mark Milk, 51, additionally of Sioux Falls, now faces 5 counts associated to her demise. Milk was virtually three many years right into a life time period on a manslaughter conviction when Noem commuted his sentence in 2023.
Wendel was raised by her grandparents, cherished animals and had a “vibrant character and a zest for all times,” in response to her obituary. She and her grandparents had been Rosebud Sioux Tribe members and attended powwows typically.
“She cherished the singing and the gorgeous sounds of the drums,” her obituary learn.
Particulars about Wendel’s demise remained skinny as authorities who introduced the fees in a Sioux Metropolis, Iowa, information convention Thursday stored shut what they knew to guard their investigation.
Milk faces 5 counts together with possession with intent to ship cocaine that brought about Wendel’s demise. He’s additionally charged with transportation of a minor with the intent to have interaction in prison sexual exercise, in response to court docket paperwork.
Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings faces conspiracy and accent prices in an alleged try and cowl up the crimes. The counts in opposition to the boys had been the “most severe, readily provable” prices and all originated in Iowa, Leif Olson, U.S. lawyer for northern Iowa, mentioned on the information convention.
“This can be a horrific case,” FBI particular agent Gene Kowel mentioned. “There are not any instances that we examine which can be extra heart-wrenching and extra tragic than those that contain youngsters or the demise of a kid.”
The boys had no attorneys in court docket data to touch upon their behalf.
In February 2023, Noem commuted Milk’s life sentence for a manslaughter conviction in an October 1993 stabbing demise. Milk, then 19, had been concerned in a number of altercations within the metropolis of Winner that ended with the demise of Shawn Peneaux, in response to data.
Milk was in jail on unrelated allegations of driving beneath the affect and eluding police when Wendel’s physique was discovered. His identify got here up in public dialogue in regards to the case from the beginning. However prosecutors, who completed their investigation in late Might, didn’t formally hyperlink him to Wendel’s demise till submitting prices Wednesday.
South Dakota Lawyer Basic Marty Jackley mentioned in a late March information convention the choice to commute Milk’s life sentence was strictly Noem’s.
“It’s pretty typically that you just see legislation enforcement oppose commutations,” Jackley remarked with out commenting additional on Noem’s resolution.
The commutation paperwork had been sealed and even he had not seen them, he famous.
The Related Press left a message Thursday for Noem on looking for remark by means of NovaRed Mining, a Canadian agency she just lately joined in a “strategic advisory position.”
A Republican, Noem, 54, was South Dakota’s lone congressperson from 2011 to 2019 and governor from 2019 to 2025. She was Homeland Safety secretary earlier than being fired in March by President Donald Trump amid criticism of her dealing with of the administration’s immigration crackdown and catastrophe response.
Trump praised Noem’s management and mentioned he was making her particular envoy for “The Defend of the Americas.” The brand new group of Western Hemisphere nations is concentrated on supporting democracy and safety within the area.
Gruver reported from Fort Collins, Colorado, and Billeaud from Phoenix, Arizona.