North Dakota Woman Sentenced for Poisoning Boyfriend Over Illusory Inheritance
Ina Thea Kenoyer, a North Dakota woman, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally poisoning her boyfriend, Steven Riley Jr., believing falsely that he was to inherit thirty million dollars. Authorities later confirmed the inheritance was a scam. Riley died from ethylene glycol poisoning, and in court, his sister expressed the severity of the crime.
Ina Thea Kenoyer, a 48-year-old woman from North Dakota, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally poisoning her boyfriend, Steven Riley Jr., mistakenly believing he was to inherit $30 million.
The incident took place in 2023, with Riley, aged 51, succumbing to ethylene glycol poisoning, often found in antifreeze.
During a court hearing in Minot, Judge Richard Hagar delivered the sentence, which includes 10 years of supervised probation and a restitution of $3,455 to Riley's family.
Riley's sister, Stephanie Gonzalez, emphasized the seriousness of the crime as she addressed Kenoyer in court.
It was later confirmed by authorities that both Kenoyer and Riley had been deceived by a fraudulent email regarding the inheritance.
On September 3, 2023, Riley began feeling ill after meeting with someone posing as an estate lawyer.
Despite interventions, he was pronounced dead on September 5.
Kenoyer initially blamed heavy drinking and heat stroke but later admitted guilt, despite North Dakota's lack of recognition for common-law marriages, which she claimed entitled her to Riley's imaginary wealth.