A North Dakota woman, Ina Thea Kenoyer, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of her boyfriend, Steven Edward Riley Jr., after believing he would inherit $30 million. In a tragic twist of fate, the entire inheritance turned out to be a scam, making the motive for the murder tragically ironic.
The Crime Unfolds
Kenoyer poisoned Riley with antifreeze, believing that his impending fortune would secure their future together. Authorities arrested her in September 2023, shortly after Riley sought legal counsel to claim the supposed inheritance. He was convinced that a distant relative had left him the money, but his son later clarified that it was all a hoax.
The Illusion of Wealth
Riley’s son recounted, “It was a scam. He was convinced he had inherited the money and was going to receive it when the supposed lawyer arrived. But the supposed lawyer never showed up.” At the time, both Kenoyer and Riley believed in the authenticity of the inheritance. However, Riley’s plans to leave Kenoyer due to his newfound wealth drove her to commit the unthinkable act.
Motive Behind the Murder
Initially, Kenoyer believed she was entitled to the inheritance as Riley’s common-law wife. However, she later learned that North Dakota does not recognize common law marriage, which further fueled her desperation and led to Riley’s murder.
Also read: Justice Served: Man Sentenced to 18 Months for PPP Loan Fraud
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
After a decade-long relationship, Kenoyer changed her plea to guilty, leading to her sentencing earlier this week. Authorities discovered a toxic level of antifreeze in Riley’s system, including ethylene glycol, which Kenoyer reportedly used to mask the antifreeze’s taste in sweet tea.
A Family’s Heartbreak
Judge Richard Hagar accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from both the defense and the prosecution. During the sentencing, Riley’s sister, Stephanie Gonzalez, addressed Kenoyer, stating, “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 twelve nieces and nephews, a great uncle to eight, and many friends. How does it feel to have taken so much for absolutely nothing?”
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