According to authorities, a lady in North Dakota poisoned her boyfriend after learning of his plans to abandon her because he had just inherited $30 million.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, 47, was charged on Monday, Oct. 30, with the murder of Steven Edward Riley Jr., 51, on Sept. 5.
“This case was extremely complex,” stated Capt. Dale Plessas of the Minot Police Department in the United States.
Riley fell ill when he met with his lawyer on September 3 to collect the large inheritance cash, according to police records.
Kenoyer didn’t call 911 until the next day, Sept. 4, when paramedics arrived at Riley’s Minot home and found him unresponsive.
He died the next day, September 5, 2023, at the hospital.
An autopsy indicated he died as a result of consuming antifreeze, which authorities claim Kenoyer fed him.
In the days leading up to her arrest, the alleged killer declared her innocence in a series of Facebook posts, saying Riley had committed suicide.
“To the Shafer who almost hit me, that’s not married hello hunny I wish I was looking for someone but no I’m a one man woman, kind person, and Steve Riley the only man I ever wanted,” she wrote in a Facebook post three days before she was charged with murder.
According to the records, Kenoyer told investigators she planned to split Riley’s inheritance with his kid, which she estimated to be roughly $30 million.
As his common-law wife, she claimed she was entitled to his riches. North Dakota, on the other hand, does not recognize such connections.
Riley had also disclosed plans to end the romance soon after obtaining the large cash, leading detectives to believe she poisoned him to secure the treasure.
“Rest in peace, Dad…” With way everything played out, I had a suspicion it was her, but f-k I wish we had made plans to see each other sooner,” Riley’s bereaved son posted on Facebook. “Hope she gets what she deserves for taking you from this world.”
Kenoyer is charged with AA felony murder, the most serious murder charge in North Dakota.
According to court documents, she is being held without bond at the Ward County Detention Center and is representing herself.
