Seymour man facing murder charge after North Vernon incident

Press release from Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office

SEYMOUR MAN FORMALLY CHARGED WITH MURDER OF EX-GIRLFRIEND’S NEW BOYFRIEND

Lawrenceburg, IN (August 18, 2025)-Murder charges were formally filed today, Monday, August 18th, 2025 against Brent D. Wellman, age 33 in the death of Dennis W. Adams Jr. of Erlanger, Kentucky. This case started in the early morning hours on August 14th at the residence of Rachel Warren, the girlfriend of Dennis W. Adams Jr,, age 39 in North Vernon, Indiana. Rachel and Dennis had recently begun dating. On August 13th, Dennis W. Adams Jr. came to her residence around 7:30 p.m. and spent the night. Around 4:45 a.m. on August 14th, Dennis left the residence to go to work.

A few days prior to August 13th, Wellman called Rachel Warren wanting to drop off some of his property as Wellman had advised her that he was kicked out of his friend’s house, homeless and had no place to put his stuff. On August 13th, Wellman called her and asked if he could wish their child a happy birthday. Rachel advised that she told Wellman he could not stop by as it would be late since he works second shift at his job. Rachel told Wellman that he could pick up their child from a relative in the morning and take the child to school.

Later on in the evening on the 13th into the 14th, Rachel and Dennis heard a noise that she compared to someone breaking into her residence. Both she and Dennis went outside to look, did not see anyone and believed it was the air conditioner. Dennis left for work on Thursday, August 14th around 4:45 a.m.

Dearborn County Communications Center received a 911 call around 5:42 a.m. A homeowner reported a vehicle stopped on US 50, in front of their residence, located in the 11000 block of US 50 in Dillsboro and hearing gunshots. Dearborn County Communications received a second 911 call about the same time.

The caller reported that he observed a blue vehicle, stopped in the high speed lane of east bound US 50. The caller stated that he stopped and when he approached the vehicle, he observed that the driver’s door was open, observed blood on the pants and face of the male occupant in the driver’s seat and another male in the backseat crawling to the front seat via the center console. The 911 callers advised that he left the scene and believes that the vehicle traveled down Texas Gas Road.

Sgt. Pendergast with the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of 11000 block of US 50 regarding the report of gunshots. Sgt. Pendergast came across a vehicle sitting stationary in the roadway and facing the opposite direction of the officer. Sgt. Pendergast pulled up next to the vehicle and approached the vehicle to speak to the driver. This vehicle was bright blue in color, compact SUV style vehicle with the window down.

Sgt. Pendergast observed the driver to be a white, male adult with a dark beard and wearing a ball cap and sweating. When the driver was asked what was going on, the driver shrugged his shoulder and avoided eye contact. The Sgt. Called for assistance and the driver sped away on Hueseman Road.
Shortly after 6 am, a 911 caller reported that a bright blue compact SUV had crashed on Hueseman Road. When officers arrived, they located an unoccupied, blue Honda CRV with Kentucky license plates. When the license plate of the vehicle was ran, it returned to a Dennis W. Adams Jr.

Other officers responded to the area on Hwy US 50 where the gunshot call and fleeing vehicle when an officer located a shoe. As the Deputy approached the wood line, a deceased male in the woods with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his right upper back/shoulder area. Officers requested a photograph from the vehicle registration on the Honda CRV, and it was used to identify Dennis W. Adams Jr. to be the deceased.

Numerous law enforcement agencies were assisting in searching for Wellman. The Indiana State Police ERT located a white male in Laughry Creek, near the wrecked CRV. The male was only dressed in his underwear and had redness to his body. Sgt. Pendergast positively identified Wellman as the driver of the bright blue in color CUV that fled from him on Hueseman Road.

An autopsy for Dennis Adams Jr was performed at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office and Crime Lab. The pathologist reported that Dennis Adams Jr. died from injuries sustained from receiving multiple gunshot wounds.

Brent D. Wellman has been charged with Murder, Resisting Law Enforcement (Use of Vehicle) as well as a Felony Firearm Enhancement. He is being held at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center. Charges were filed in Dearborn Circuit Court and Wellman is set to appear before Judge Negangard for his initial hearing today, August 18th, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.

It is important to remember that criminal charges are merely allegations and individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.