A 37-year-old man from Palm Harbor, Florida, has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly beating another man to death over a borrowed car that wasn’t returned on time. The incident has shocked the local community, highlighting the severe consequences of a dispute that escalated violently.
The accused, Matthew Weldon, was arrested following the death of 49-year-old Carroll Bryan. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. A neighbor reported that Weldon had confessed to killing someone.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Weldon covered in blood. He reportedly told deputies, “He is dead,” and pointed towards his residence. Inside, deputies discovered Bryan lying on the back patio with severe injuries to his head, neck, and arm. Bryan was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Weldon and Bryan had met at a local bar in Clearwater, Florida two weeks before the incident. Their friendship initially appeared amicable, with Weldon agreeing to lend his car to Bryan about a week before the event. However, tensions flared when Bryan did not return the vehicle as agreed.
“Bryan did not return the vehicle when he agreed to, and Weldon became upset,” stated the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office press release. Upon Bryan’s return of the car on May 21, an argument ensued between the two men. Detectives believe that Bryan was on the rear patio when Weldon struck him in the back of the head. Bryan was then repeatedly attacked while on the ground, leading to his fatal injuries.
A neighbor recalled the moment when Weldon confessed. “He came to my door, covered in blood, and said he had killed someone. I immediately called 911,” the neighbor shared.
In his first court appearance, Weldon claimed he had no financial means to hire an attorney despite residing in a home valued at nearly $2 million. Public records indicate that the property belongs to a trust. Weldon told the judge he wanted a public defender, stating, “I don’t have any money of my own.”
During the hearing, the judge asked Weldon about his financial assets, including cash, stocks, or bonds. Weldon responded, “Unfortunately, no.” He also mentioned owning two vehicles, including a Jaguar, but stated they had low value and were still under financing.
Neighbors reacted with shock and disbelief to the incident. “This is a very quiet neighborhood. Very quiet, so [it’s] very strange,” said Jana Joyner, who lives across the road from where deputies were responding. Peg Mahara, a resident of 45 years, echoed this sentiment: “I’ve been here 45 years. I’ve been here a long time, and there’s never been anything like this.”
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident, piecing together the events that led to Bryan’s death. Weldon, who sustained minor injuries during the altercation, remains in custody at the Pinellas County Jail without bond.