A North Dakota woman has finally been sentenced for killing her boyfriend with antifreeze after he threatened to leave her upon believing he had become a millionaire.
North Dakota woman Ina Thea Kenoyer, 47, was charged with the murder of her boyfriend Steven Edward Riley Jr, 51, last year in October.
She was arrested for feeding him antifreeze poison in September, the same day he had attempted to meet with a lawyer to collect a massive inheritance of $30 million from a 'distant relative'.
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However, Riley’s son spoke to the New York Post and explained that his father had actually been scammed.
He said: “It was a scam.
“He was convinced he had inherited the money and was going to receive it when the supposed lawyer landed. But the supposed lawyer never showed up.”
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Despite this, police believe both Riley and Kenoyer believed the inheritance to be legitimate. Ryan also added that his father was planning to break off his relationship with Kenoya before his death.
Police have stated that Kenoya falsely believed upon her boyfriend’s death that she was entitled to this $30 million as his common-law wife. However, police informed her that North Dakota law does not recognize common-law marriage. Authorities stated that she became visibly irritated when she was informed of this.
As part of the trial, on October 16, 2024,, Kenoyer was sentenced to serve 25 years behind bars for murder.
She had initially denied that she had poisoned her boyfriend of 10 years, but eventually changed her plea to guilty.
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An autopsy determined Riley died after ingesting antifreeze, with toxic levels of ethylene glycol in his blood. As part of the police’s investigation, officials noted that ethylene glycol could be added to antifreeze to make it taste sweet and easily disguised in sweet tea.
According to a report by Minot Daily News, Judge Richard Hagar accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from her defense attorney and state prosecutors on Wednesday.
Kenoya will be required to pay Riley’s family $3,455 in restitution in addition to her time in prison.
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While in court, Riley’s family also read out heartbreaking impact statements.
Riley’s sister, Stephanie Gonzalez said: “You stole more than a human life. You stole a son from his mother and stepfather.
“You stole a father from five sons, a brother from two sisters, an uncle from 12 nieces and nephews, and a great uncle to eight, and many friends. How does it feel to have taken so much for absolutely nothing?”
Gerrard Kaonga