A murder case has unfolded in North Dakota as a woman is accused of poisoning her boyfriend after learning about his newly inherited $30 million fortune, which was received just hours before the deadly act.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, a 47-year-old resident of North Dakota, was charged on Monday with the murder of her boyfriend, Steven Edward Riley Jr., 51, on September 5.
The Minot Police Department described the gruesome act as one driven by ‘financial motives’.
The investigations commander, Captain Dale Plessas of the Minot Police Department, noted, “This case was extremely complex.”
News About Nigeria gathered that the tragic sequence of events began when Riley, the victim, became seriously ill following a meeting with his lawyer on September 3.
This meeting was arranged for him to collect a massive inheritance sum of $30 million, according to witness accounts provided to investigators as per police records.
However, what raises questions is that Kenoyer didn’t contact emergency services until the following day, when paramedics arrived at Riley’s Minot residence to find him unresponsive.
However, Riley passed away the following day. An autopsy conducted on his remains revealed that he had been killed after ingesting antifreeze, which, according to the police, was administered to him by Kenoyer.
In a bizarre turn of events, the accused killer, Kenoyer, posted a series of nonsensical statements on Facebook in the days preceding her arrest.
She claimed that Riley had taken his own life, denying any involvement in his death.
Kenoyer told investigators that she planned to share Riley’s substantial inheritance, which she estimated to be approximately $30 million, with his son.
She asserted that she was entitled to the fortune as his common-law wife. However, it is essential to note that North Dakota does not recognise common-law relationships.
Moreover, Riley had purportedly expressed intentions to end his relationship with Kenoyer shortly after receiving the massive sum. This led investigators to theorise that she may have poisoned him to secure the substantial inheritance.
The grieving son of the victim expressed his sorrow on Facebook, stating, “Rest in peace dad… I had a feeling it was her with how everything played out, but I wish we made plans to see each other sooner. Hope she gets what she deserves for taking you from this world.”
Kenoyer is now facing a first-degree AA felony murder charge, which is the most severe murder charge in North Dakota.
She is currently detained without bond at the Ward County Detention Center and is reportedly representing herself in court.
