Commonwealth v. Brandon Wyatt Wysong; 30 Years to Serve for Killing of Wife in Front of Three Young Children

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Brandon Wyatt Wysong, 34 years old, formerly of the 800 block of Westminster Lane in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced for charges of Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon (Non-Violent within 10 Years). Circuit Court Judge Steven C. Frucci sentenced Wysong to 45 years in prison with fifteen (15) suspended, leaving thirty (30) years to serve. This was above the high-end of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines and was the maximum sentence per the plea agreement.

Wysong pled guilty on February 15, 2023. Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth's evidence would have proven that on November 4, 2019, Brandon Wysong and his wife, Elena Wysong, got into an argument. Elena and her three children left the home due to Wysong's behavior. On the way to a family member's house, Elena and the children stopped for gas and food. They returned home briefly to pick up the oldest child's pregnant cat. When they got back to the house, they saw that Wysong had destroyed and flung around nearly all the items inside the house.

Wysong and Elena got into an argument in the living room, during which Wysong head-butted Elena in the forehead. The oldest child saw Wysong with his gun and then pull Elena into the laundry room. The child heard her mother screaming and then multiple gunshots. Wysong had fired three shots, with one striking Elena in the back of the head. The child went to the aid of her mother but could not get the door open because her mother's body was on the floor against the door. When she was able to get into the room, she wrapped towels around Elena's head to try to stop the bleeding. She attempted CPR and used her mother's phone to call 911. She saw Wysong run out of the back door.

Police responded and attempted CPR until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced Elena deceased. Police K-9 units located Wysong hiding in the woods nearby. In an interview with detectives, he admitted shooting Elena and hiding his gun at a park. He took the detectives to the park to point out the location of the gun, which was recovered by police.

Wysong has prior convictions for Burglary (2 counts), Credit Card Fraud, Credit Card Forgery (4 counts), Destruction of Property (felony), Destruction of Property (misdemeanor), and Trespassing.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Tabitha B. Anderson and Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Megan M. Lang prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.