Trial of Alleged White Supremacist Linked to Ritual Horse Slaying
Brandon Garner, a 42-year-old man accused of murder and animal cruelty, allegedly butchered a horse as part of a strange ritual. This act was supposedly meant to allow his friend Cody Olsen to “enter Valhalla” by riding the slain animal.
Garner is currently facing charges of second-degree murder and first-degree animal cruelty. He allegedly killed a horse named Lemon so that Olsen could reach Valhalla—the legendary paradise for warriors in Viking lore, as detailed in a police report.
Additionally, Garner stands accused of conspiring with Olsen to murder Robert Riley, 57, and Ashley Williams, 34, on November 16, 2023, during what investigators describe as a “drug deal gone wrong.”
Interestingly, just weeks after the alleged murder, Olsen was killed during a confrontation with sheriff’s deputies over suspected DUI. Officers attempted to stop him, but the situation escalated into a shootout.
Days after Olsen’s death, reports state that animal sacrifices were performed. It was claimed these sacrifices were made to Odin, the Norse god of death, allowing Olsen to “enter Valhalla on horseback.” This follows the bizarre logic surrounding the event, according to investigators.
Delaney Greer Bleekal, daughter of Lemon’s owner, expressed her shock, saying, “He was killed in the most stupid way imaginable.” The horse was shot at close range and discovered dead outside a stable.
Lemon’s owner, Karen Greer, described her harrowing discovery: “I found him lying dead in the morning and I can’t get that out of my head.” This emotional distress is difficult to imagine for anyone who has lost a beloved pet.
Garner, who reportedly founded a white supremacist group while incarcerated for previous convictions, is now facing serious charges, including animal sacrifice. The bodies of Riley and Williams were later found discarded under debris, shrouded in blue sheets. Williams had suffered over 20 stab wounds—a gruesome detail that amplifies the horror of the situation.
Garner has a lengthy criminal history, having served approximately 22 years in prison for various offenses such as burglary and assault. It’s striking how individuals can become involved in such violence, leaving a lingering impact on the community.
