On October 30, a North Dakota woman was charged with the murder of her boyfriend soon after he inherited a substantial sum of money.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, 47, from Minot, North Dakota, stands accused of fatally poisoning her boyfriend, Steven Edward Riley Jr., 51, after he came into an inheritance of $30 million.
Riley met with his lawyer on September 3 to finalize the collection of the huge inheritance.
On September 4, Kenoyer called emergency workers to their Minot residence, where they found Riley in an unresponsive state. After being rushed to a local hospital, he was later transferred to a hospital in Bismarck where he died on September 5, 2023.
Subsequent autopsy reports determined the cause of death to be poisoning. Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient found in antifreeze, was identified in Riley’s system. Initial statements from Kenoyer suggested Riley had suffered heat stroke. However, the discovery of the lethal substance in his body quickly dispelled that theory.
Several news reports have highlighted that Kenoyer may have had reasons to be disgruntled. Riley had allegedly informed Kenoyer of his intentions to end their 10-year relationship upon receiving his inheritance. The Minot Police Department has further revealed records indicating that Kenoyer might have had financial motives for Riley’s death.
In a peculiar move, Kenoyer took to Facebook to claim that Riley had taken his own life. Yet, the police have challenged this narrative, asserting their belief that Kenoyer poisoned Riley.
As the investigation unfolds, the circumstances surrounding this case continue to raise eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Minot. The large inheritance, the alleged breakup, and the sudden death have combined to form a tale of mystery and suspicion.
The legal proceedings against Kenoyer are now in motion. The case highlights the importance of thorough investigations, especially when initial claims might not align with the scientific evidence provided.