Woman Charged with Poisoning Boyfriend for $30 Million Inheritance
Nov 11, 2023, 02:00 AM
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Ina Thea Kenoyer, a 47-year-old woman from North Dakota, has been charged with the murder of her boyfriend, Steven Edward Riley Jr., 51, after allegedly fatally poisoning him with antifreeze. Police believe financial motives drove the gruesome act, as Riley had inherited a substantial $30 million just hours before his death.
On Sept. 3, the evening before Riley was hospitalized, he had been at an airport to meet with a lawyer to finalize his receipt of the inheritance, according to the affidavit.
He was accompanied by Kenoyer and some other friends, who said Mr. Riley suddenly began to feel ill, complaining that he felt drunk despite not having consumed any alcohol.
He reported stomach pain and nearly collapsed, according to the affidavit.
“Witness stated they wanted to obtain medical treatment for Riley, but Ina Thea Kenoyer was adamant that he was suffering from heat stroke and just needed to go home and rest after the airport,” according to the affidavit.
Kenoyer told investigators that Riley had been drinking alcohol all day on Sept. 3 and had suffered a heat stroke the day before, on Sept. 2, though a statement from a friend who had been with Riley on Sept. 2 contradicted her claim, and a toxicology report later revealed that he had no alcohol in his system when he died.
Friends and relatives of Riley told authorities that they believed Kenoyer had poisoned him with antifreeze, citing comments she made both before and after his death. Investigators also uncovered discord in the couple's relationship, as Riley planned to leave Kenoyer once he claimed his inheritance.
Suspicion grew when one of Kenoyer's friends reported seeing her dump Riley's belongings outside their home on the day he became ill. The friend mentioned that Kenoyer was upset about Riley inheriting a large sum and leaving her.
Kenoyer suggested various scenarios in which Riley could have accidentally ingested antifreeze. Authorities searched the couple’s home and discovered a Windex window cleaner bottle in the living room with green liquid believed to be antifreeze inside, court records show.
Despite her attempts to deny involvement, Kenoyer faces a first-degree murder charge, the most severe in North Dakota.
In the days leading up to her arrest, Kenoyer proclaimed her innocence on Facebook, claiming Riley had killed himself. She also expressed plans to split the inheritance with Riley's son, whom she considered her common-law husband, although such relationships are not recognized in North Dakota.
Riley's grieving son, in a Facebook post, expressed suspicions about Kenoyer and the desire for justice. Kenoyer is currently held without bond at the Ward County Detention Center and represents herself in court.
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On Sept. 3, the evening before Riley was hospitalized, he had been at an airport to meet with a lawyer to finalize his receipt of the inheritance, according to the affidavit.
He was accompanied by Kenoyer and some other friends, who said Mr. Riley suddenly began to feel ill, complaining that he felt drunk despite not having consumed any alcohol.
He reported stomach pain and nearly collapsed, according to the affidavit.
“Witness stated they wanted to obtain medical treatment for Riley, but Ina Thea Kenoyer was adamant that he was suffering from heat stroke and just needed to go home and rest after the airport,” according to the affidavit.
Kenoyer told investigators that Riley had been drinking alcohol all day on Sept. 3 and had suffered a heat stroke the day before, on Sept. 2, though a statement from a friend who had been with Riley on Sept. 2 contradicted her claim, and a toxicology report later revealed that he had no alcohol in his system when he died.
Friends and relatives of Riley told authorities that they believed Kenoyer had poisoned him with antifreeze, citing comments she made both before and after his death. Investigators also uncovered discord in the couple's relationship, as Riley planned to leave Kenoyer once he claimed his inheritance.
Suspicion grew when one of Kenoyer's friends reported seeing her dump Riley's belongings outside their home on the day he became ill. The friend mentioned that Kenoyer was upset about Riley inheriting a large sum and leaving her.
Kenoyer suggested various scenarios in which Riley could have accidentally ingested antifreeze. Authorities searched the couple’s home and discovered a Windex window cleaner bottle in the living room with green liquid believed to be antifreeze inside, court records show.
Despite her attempts to deny involvement, Kenoyer faces a first-degree murder charge, the most severe in North Dakota.
In the days leading up to her arrest, Kenoyer proclaimed her innocence on Facebook, claiming Riley had killed himself. She also expressed plans to split the inheritance with Riley's son, whom she considered her common-law husband, although such relationships are not recognized in North Dakota.
Riley's grieving son, in a Facebook post, expressed suspicions about Kenoyer and the desire for justice. Kenoyer is currently held without bond at the Ward County Detention Center and represents herself in court.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com