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Former Olympian Faces New Murder Charge; U.S. Increases Reward

2025-11-19

The BareStory

U.S. authorities have announced new charges against Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, accusing him of orchestrating the murder of a witness. The U.S. State Department has increased the reward for information leading to his capture to $15 million, and he has been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

The new charges include murder, witness tampering, and intimidation, in addition to prior drug trafficking allegations. Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered the killing of a witness who was scheduled to testify against him in a federal drug case. According to the Justice Department, the murder occurred in January at a restaurant in Colombia. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Los Angeles Bill Essayli stated that Wedding placed a bounty on the witness under the belief that the death would lead to the dismissal of charges. Essayli also said that Wedding's lawyer was among 14 others charged in the new indictment and is accused of advising Wedding that killing the witness would cause the charges to be dropped.

Attorney General Pam Bondi described Wedding as the leader of a "transnational criminal enterprise" and a major cocaine distributor who collaborates with the Sinaloa Cartel. FBI Director Kash Patel referred to Wedding as a "modern-day" Pablo Escobar. The FBI has also accused Wedding of being responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine into the U.S. and Canada and ordering multiple murders.

Wedding, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, has been a fugitive for several years, according to authorities. The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Wedding and what it described as his enterprise's "complex" financial network. An alleged accomplice, Andrew Clark, has been apprehended and extradited. Authorities have stated they believe Wedding is being protected by the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.

Left Perspective

  • U.S. authorities have filed new charges for a murder-for-hire plot.
  • Officials describe Wedding as the leader of a major criminal organization.
  • The U.S. has intensified its efforts to secure his capture.

Right Perspective

  • The accused is a former Olympic athlete.
  • Authorities believe he is a fugitive being protected by a cartel.
  • A network of alleged accomplices and finances has been targeted.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The accused's operation allegedly traffics tons of cocaine into the U.S., which could affect drug availability and associated crime in American communities.

• U.S. taxpayer funds support a $15 million reward and a multi-agency manhunt, representing a significant public expenditure to capture a high-profile fugitive.

• The alleged murder of a federal witness may influence future witness protection policies and security measures within the U.S. justice system.

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