A Seminole High School graduate was arrested last week in Pottawatomie County in relation to the murder of his neighbor last summer.

Matthew Causey, 34, was arrested on July 20 and faces murder charges in the death of 35-year-old Wes Langley, who was found beaten to death in his garage in August 2020. Authorities say a “kettlebell,” a piece of exercise equipment, was used to kill Langley. A kettlebell is a cast iron or cast steel ball with a handle attached to the top and resembles a cannonball with a handle.

Langley was found dead inside the garage of his home near Brangus Road and Limestone Drive in Shawnee. His body had been reportedly lying in the garage for hours when authorities arrived on scene, and the medical examiner said it was one of the worst cases they had ever seen.

Deputies searched Causey’s home following Langley’s death and learned that the two men previously had arguments. Langley was allegedly having an affair with Causey’s wife, Pottawatomie Sheriff’s Office officials reported.

According to court records, no bond was set in the case and Causey is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Pottawatomie County District Court on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Causey graduated from Seminole High School in 2005 and attended Central Texas College from 2008-2009. He served in the United States Marines for 10 years and was honorably discharged. After his military service, he worked as a maintenance team leader at Bar-S Foods in Seminole and is currently employed by Warren CAT Rental Power, working on power generation units, light towers, and portable high pressure air compressors.