Gang Member Accused of Horse Sacrifice for 'Valhalla Ride' in Bizarre Murder Case
In a disturbing case blending violent crime with ritualistic symbolism, a Washington gang member stands accused of sacrificing a horse so his deceased accomplice could supposedly "ride it into the afterlife". The allegations emerge from court documents detailing a 2023 double murder in Maple Valley, with the horse killing described as a tribute steeped in Norse mythology.
Ritualistic Killing and Gang Affiliations
Brandon Gerner, 42, faces multiple serious charges including premeditated murder for the alleged killings of two people alongside fellow gang member Kody Olsen, 45. Following Olsen's death after a police shootout, investigators say Gerner killed a horse named LeMon as a sacrificial offering. According to an affidavit, Gerner told police he committed the act as a "sacrifice to Odin", intending to provide Olsen with a "steed to ride into Valhalla".
The necropsy revealed LeMon died from a gunshot wound to the face, with the bullet penetrating the nasal cavity and lodging in the neck. The affidavit chillingly notes: "The horse had suffered and did not die quickly, initially walking around the paddock area bleeding in the water trough and inside the horse run in shelter before succumbing to its injury."
White Supremacist Connections and Mythology
Valhalla, a hall for slain warriors in Norse mythology presided over by the god Odin, has been referenced in this grim context. The King County Sheriff's Office reports that such mythology is frequently associated with white supremacist and Nazi gang affiliations. Investigators believe Gerner founded the Omerta White Supremacist Prison Gang during prior incarceration, with Olsen also identified as a member of a Nazi gang.
After Olsen's death, police discovered a social media post from Gerner stating: "I lost a brother today and someone who had a very big impact in my life he can not be replaced I love and miss you Kody I'll keep your memory alive."
The 2023 Double Murder Allegations
Prosecutors allege Gerner and Olsen killed Robert Riley, 57, and Ashley Williams, 34, in autumn 2023. Their bodies were discovered on November 16 under a bloodied blue tarp in bushes. An unidentified witness described the incident as a "drug deal gone bad", claiming Riley pulled a gun before Gerner shot him and instructed others to kill Williams as a witness.
The affidavit details Riley sustained a single gunshot wound to the collarbone, while Williams suffered over 20 stab wounds and at least two gunshot wounds. Prosecutors believe Olsen fatally shot Williams after Gerner stabbed her, though Gerner's defense argues Olsen acted alone.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Arguments
In addition to first-degree animal cruelty for LeMon's killing, Gerner faces charges including premeditated murder, murder/felony assault, and first-degree criminal assistance. A third man, Joshua Jones, pleaded guilty last year to criminal assistance for helping dispose of the bodies and received a 72-month prison sentence.
Defense attorney Lisa Mulligan argued in court that Olsen was solely responsible for the deaths, claiming Olsen shot Riley in self-defense after a gun was drawn. She acknowledged Gerner's mistake in helping bury the bodies but maintained his innocence: "In this case, fate has already punished the real killer of Ashley and Robert. Convicting an innocent person is not justice. Brandon Gerner is an innocent person."
Community Impact and Aftermath
LeMon was owned by a family in nearby Kent, described by owner Fred Greer as a "big dog" and beloved community animal. Greer previously called the alleged double murder "horrific", highlighting the broader trauma inflicted by these crimes.
The case continues to unfold in Washington courts, revealing disturbing intersections between gang violence, extremist ideology, and ritualistic animal cruelty.
