Drug overdose, uncle linked to death of 14-year-old Sioux Falls girl

Suspect identified following discovery of McKenna Wendel's remains; Mark Milk had previously been serving life sentence prior to 2023 commutation granted under Noem administration

Mark Milk was featured and photographed for a 2024 South Dakota Searchlight article about programming within the state prison system, from which he was granted early released as a result of a commutation the previous year. He is now accused of contributing to the drug overdose death of his niece, McKenna Wendel, whose remains were discovered in Brookings. County in March 2026.

A Sioux Falls teen found dead in rural South Dakota this spring died of a drug overdose, according to authorities who are expected to announce felony charges against her uncle Thursday in connection with her death.

Missing 14-year-old girl found dead, Sioux Falls police confirm