Indiana Man Accused of Beating 81-Year-Old Father to Death, Pouring Wax on His Face, and Stealing His Truck

INDIANA — An Indiana man is being held without bond after police say he brutally beat his 81-year-old father to death, poured melted candle wax onto the victim’s face, wrapped the body in a rug, and then stole his father’s pickup truck before fleeing the scene.

Bryan Pedigo, 54, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and auto theft, according to Marion County court records.

Body Found Wrapped in Rug Inside Family Home

The investigation began on December 11 after police received a 911 call from a third party who reported being contacted by Pedigo, who allegedly admitted he had killed his father.

Officers initially responded to a residence on South Catherwood Avenue in Indianapolis but found the doors locked and no one answering. A second call later that day prompted officers to return after a witness reported seeing what appeared to be a body wrapped in a rug through a window.

Police confirmed the presence of a deceased man inside the home, later identified as John Lloyd Pedigo, 81, wrapped in a patterned rug on the living room floor.

Mother Found Alive but Seriously Injured

Inside the residence, officers also found Olanna Pedigo, 79, the defendant’s mother, seated in a recliner. She appeared disoriented and was suffering from visible bruising and bleeding, according to charging documents.

She was transported to Eskenazi Hospital, where doctors treated her for a brain bleed. Initially unable to recall what had happened, Olanna later told detectives, “I wonder if my son had anything to do with this.”

Evidence of Violent Struggle

Investigators executing a search warrant reported blood and candle wax throughout the home. The victim’s body showed ligature marks on the neck, and wax had been poured over his face, police said.

Nearby, detectives found another rug containing bloody clothing and an artificial tree, indicating an attempt to conceal or stage the scene.

An autopsy later determined John Pedigo died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

Pickup Truck Tracked Nearly 90 Miles Away

Police soon discovered the victim’s gray 2006 Ford F-150 was missing. Using license-plate reader technology, authorities tracked the vehicle to State Road 57 in Greene County, roughly 90 miles southwest of Indianapolis, where Pedigo was taken into custody during a traffic stop.

Defendant Gave Multiple Conflicting Stories

During questioning, Pedigo allegedly gave several conflicting accounts of what happened.

He initially claimed he had permission to drive his father’s truck and said he returned home to find a “bloodbath.” Later, he stated his parents were unharmed when he left and that something “demonic” was present in the house.

Pedigo also claimed heavy alcohol use caused him to black out. Eventually, police say he admitted responsibility for his father’s death but refused to provide details.

Friend Says Defendant Confessed

A friend who contacted police told investigators that Pedigo called her and said he had done something “really bad.” When pressed, he allegedly admitted beating his father to death and told her he considered putting the body into the fireplace but couldn’t because it wouldn’t fit.

Held Without Bond

Bryan Pedigo is currently detained in the Marion County Jail without bond.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2026, and his jury trial is set to begin March 9, 2026.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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