A woman from North Dakota has been sentenced for the murder of her boyfriend using antifreeze after he threatened to leave her, believing he had inherited a large sum of money.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, aged 47, faced charges for the murder of her boyfriend, 51-year-old Steven Edward Riley Jr., in October of last year.
Authorities apprehended her after she poisoned him with antifreeze in September, coinciding with his attempt to meet a lawyer regarding a supposed $30 million inheritance from a ‘distant relative’.
However, Riley’s son revealed to the New York Post that his father was actually the victim of a scam.
He stated: “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.”
Despite this, police maintained that both Riley and Kenoyer believed the inheritance was authentic. Riley’s son also mentioned that his father intended to end his relationship with Kenoyer before his passing.
Law enforcement indicated that Kenoyer wrongly believed she could claim the $30 million as his common-law wife after his death. They informed her that common-law marriage is not recognized in North Dakota, to which she appeared visibly upset.
During the trial, on October 16, 2024, Kenoyer received a 25-year prison sentence for murder.
Initially, she denied the poisoning of her long-term boyfriend, but later entered a guilty plea.
An autopsy revealed that Riley’s death was due to ingestion of antifreeze, with toxic levels of ethylene glycol present in his system. Investigators noted that ethylene glycol, which can be added to antifreeze, has a sweet taste making it easy to mask in sweet tea.
As reported by Minot Daily News, Judge Richard Hagar approved a joint sentencing proposal from her defense and state prosecutors on a Wednesday.
In addition to her imprisonment, Kenoyer must pay $3,455 in restitution to Riley’s family.
During the sentencing, Riley’s family read poignant impact statements in court.
Riley’s sister, Stephanie Gonzalez, expressed: “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?”