South Dakota man whose life sentence was commuted by Noem now implicated in his niece’s death

Two men, including the man whose life sentence was commuted by then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, have been charged with the death of a 14-year-old girl whose body was found in a rural area five days after she went missing in March.

McKenna Wendel was reported missing on March 13 and was last seen alive early on March 14 in her hometown of Sioux Falls. Her body was found March 19 outside Brookings, an hour’s drive north of Sioux Falls.

Wendel’s uncle, Mark Milk, 51, also of Sioux Falls, now faces five charges in her death. Milk was nearly three decades away from a life sentence for involuntary manslaughter when Noem commuted his sentence in 2023.

Wendel was raised by his grandparents, loved animals and had a “vibrant personality and zest for life,” according to his obituary. He and his grandparents were members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and frequently attended reunions.

“He loved singing and the beautiful sound of drums,” his obituary said.

Details of Wendel’s death remained thin as authorities, who announced the charges Thursday at a news conference in Sioux City, Iowa, kept what they knew close to protect their investigation.

Authorities said an autopsy was performed, but the findings have not yet been released. Leif Olson, the U.S. attorney for northern Iowa, said the cause and manner of Wendel’s death have not yet been released in accordance with Justice Department policy.

Milk faces five charges, including possession with intent to distribute the cocaine that caused Wendel’s death. He is also accused of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to court documents.

Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings, faces conspiracy and complicity charges for allegedly attempting to cover up the crimes. Olson said the charges against the men were “the most serious, easily provable” charges and all stemmed from Iowa.

“This is a horrific case,” said FBI special agent Gene Kowel. “There are no cases we have investigated that are more heartbreaking, more tragic than those involving children or the death of a child.”

Court records showed no attorneys were listed for Milk and Rogness, and no relatives who could speak on their behalf could be immediately located through phone records and social media.

In February 2023, Noem commuted her life sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the October 1993 stabbing death of Milk. According to records, Milk, then 19 years old, was involved in several fights in the city of Winner that resulted in the death of Shawn Peneaux.

Milk was in jail when Wendel’s body was found on unrelated allegations of driving under the influence and fleeing police. His name has come up in public discussions of the case from the beginning. But prosecutors, who wrapped up their investigation in late May, did not officially link him to Wendel’s death until he filed criminal charges Wednesday.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said at a press conference in late March that the decision to commute Milk’s life sentence was strictly Noem’s.

“You often see law enforcement opposing commutations,” Jackley said, without further comment on Noem’s decision.

He stated that the passes were sealed and even he had not seen them.

The Associated Press left Noem a message Thursday seeking comment through NovaRed Mining, a Canadian firm she recently joined in a “strategic consulting role.”

Noem, a 54-year-old Republican, was South Dakota’s sole congresswoman from 2011 to 2019 and governor from 2019 to 2025. He previously served as Secretary of Homeland Security. get fired It comes amid criticism from President Donald Trump in March of the administration’s handling of its immigration crackdown and disaster response.

Trump praised Noem’s leadership and said he would appoint her as special envoy for the “Shield of the Americas.” The new organization of Western Hemisphere nations focuses on promoting democracy and security in the region.

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Gruver reported from Fort Collins, Colorado, and Billeaud from Phoenix, Arizona.