PINEDALE, Wyo. – Two teenagers in Pinedale, Wyoming, have been arrested and are now facing accusations in the tragic killing of 23-year-old Dakota Farley. Rowan Henry Littauer, 19, and Orion Schlesinger, 18, allegedly acted on a false belief that Farley was a pedophile, leading to a violent confrontation that ended in Farley’s death.
Authorities began investigating the crime following a tip-off consisting of disturbing messages sent to the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office. The messages, sent on February 5, indicated that Littauer was responsible for shooting Farley with arrows. During subsequent inquiries, Littauer supposedly confessed to the act, using a map app on his phone to pinpoint the location of the incident as well as incriminating Schlesinger as his accomplice.
Officers, upon arriving at Farley’s home located about 350 miles northwest of Cheyenne, found Farley deceased, his body bearing severe wounds. It appeared he had been struck with arrows in his arm and head, the latter showing signs of additional trauma possibly from a BB gun, a fact suggested by embedded BB pellets and the absence of bleeding from these particular wounds.
According to an affidavit, the attack appears to have been premeditated, with both Littauer and Schlesinger arming themselves at Littauer’s home before proceeding to Farley’s residence on February 1. The exact motive and whether there had been previous interactions between Farley and his attackers prior to the fatal encounter remain questions under investigation.
Following Farley’s murder, Schlesinger allegedly stole a .22 caliber revolver from Farley’s home, further complicating his legal situation. Law enforcement was able to recover the weapons used in the deadly assault, an essential part of the ongoing investigation.
Both suspects are currently held in Sublette County Jail; a judge has set bail at $5 million each. They are scheduled to appear in court on February 13.
Outside the grim details of the crime, Farley is remembered as a vital part of his community. He was an active member of his church and had a robust interest in sports, particularly basketball, rugby, and fishing. His obituary portrayed him as a nature enthusiast and adventurous soul, his life marked significantly by his community involvement and love for outdoor activities.
This incident has left the Pinedale community reeling, as locals struggle to reconcile the brutal nature of Farley’s death with the peaceful environment they know. As the legal process unfolds, the community, alongside Farley’s family and friends, continues to seek justice and clarity on the motive and circumstances surrounding this unsettling crime.