Des Moines man sentenced to 50 years in prison for stabbing woman

A Des Moines man was sentenced up to 50 years in prison Thursday for fatally stabbing Alyssa Anne Mayer in November 2023.

Brantlee Austin Gage Rainey, 25, entered an Alford guilty plea to second-degree murder on Feb. 14, 2025, acknowledging the evidence against him. He must serve 35 years before being eligible for parole. He also must pay restitution of $150,000 to the estate of Ms. Maher.

Evidence showed that Mr. Rainey was using methamphetamine in a room at the Econo Lodge, 410 E. 30^th St., Des Moines when he attacked Ms. Maher on Nov. 14, 2023. She suffered more than 150 wounds to her neck, head, and back.

Her mother, Melanie, gave a victim impact statement and held up photos of Ms. Maher when she was younger. “Alyssa was a sweet loving child with a good heart. She never knew a stranger,” she said. “She was always wanting to help others, often putting others before herself, to her detriment most times, sadly. All she ever wanted was to have friends and be loved.”

Ms. Maher’s older sister, Gabrielle Marshall, told the court how the death affected their family. “Alyssa was robbed of the opportunity to grow up, to make something of herself. She was robbed of so much potential.”

However, she said, the family is strong and will use her sister’s legacy to help other young women with behavioral health issues.

“What happened to Alyssa is not her story. The impact she made on the world is her story. And I will use her story to fight for girls like Alyssa,” she said.

The case was prosecuted by County Attorney Kimberly Graham and first Assistant County Attorney Justin Allen, with assistance from Lindsay Scott. The investigation was led by Detective Jeffrey George.