Matthew Weldon, a 37-year-old man from Palm Harbor, Florida, faces a second-degree murder charge following the fatal beating of another man in a dispute over a borrowed car that was not returned on time. This alarming event has stunned residents of the usually serene community, drawing attention to the dire outcome of a disagreement that spiraled into violence.
Following the death of 49-year-old Carroll Bryan, the accused, Weldon, was arrested by local authorities. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reported that they received a 911 call from a neighbor around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The neighbor claimed that Weldon had admitted to committing murder.
Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement found Weldon drenched in blood. He reportedly directed the deputies to his house, stating, “He is dead.” Inside, they discovered Bryan on the back patio, suffering from severe trauma to his head, neck, and arm. Bryan was declared dead on the scene.
The initial investigation revealed that the two men had met at a local bar in Clearwater, Florida, two weeks prior to the incident. It seemed that their relationship was initially cordial, with Weldon lending his car to Bryan about a week before the fatal encounter. However, when Bryan failed to return the car as promised, the situation turned volatile.
According to a press release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, “Bryan did not return the vehicle when he agreed to, and Weldon became upset.” On the day Bryan returned the car, May 21, a heated argument broke out between the two men. Authorities believe that it was during this quarrel on the back patio that Weldon struck Bryan on the back of his head. Bryan was then repeatedly assaulted while on the ground, resulting in his fatal injuries.
A neighbor reported the chilling moment when Weldon confessed to the crime, saying, “He came to my door, covered in blood, and said he had killed someone. I immediately called 911.”
During his first court appearance, Weldon asserted that he had no funds to hire a lawyer, despite living in a house valued at nearly $2 million. Public records show that the property is owned by a trust. Weldon requested a public defender, telling the judge, “I don’t have any money of my own.”
When questioned about his financial assets such as cash, stocks, or bonds, Weldon responded, “Unfortunately, no.” He did acknowledge owning two cars, including a Jaguar, but mentioned they were of low value and still under financing.
Local residents reacted with shock and disbelief to the incident. “This is a very quiet neighborhood. Very quiet, so [it’s] very strange,” stated Jana Joyner, who lives across the road from where the incident occurred. Peg Mahara, a resident for 45 years, echoed these sentiments: “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 is still investigating the incident, striving to piece together the circumstances that led to Bryan’s untimely death. Weldon, who suffered minor injuries during the altercation, is currently being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail.