In North Dakota, Ina Thea Kenoyer was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally poisoning her boyfriend, Steven Riley Jr., after being tricked by a fake $30 million inheritance scam. Kenoyer, 48, believed she was entitled to a share of the inheritance as Riley’s common-law wife, but North Dakota law doesn’t recognize such relationships.
The incident began when Riley, 51, received an email claiming he had inherited $30 million. Kenoyer believed Riley planned to leave her and keep the money, so she decided to act. On September 3, 2023, Kenoyer poisoned Riley by lacing his iced tea with antifreeze. Riley’s health quickly deteriorated, and despite being airlifted to a hospital, he was pronounced dead on September 5, 2023. The medical examination revealed fatal levels of ethylene glycol, the key component in antifreeze, in his blood.
The investigation found Kenoyer’s motive was financial, and she even attempted to justify her actions by claiming she was entitled to part of Riley’s supposed inheritance. However, detectives discovered that the inheritance was a scam, and there was no actual money to be claimed. Kenoyer was arrested in October 2023, following evidence found at their home, including a Windex bottle containing antifreeze. During her trial, Kenoyer pleaded guilty to felony murder with extreme indifference, avoiding a possible life sentence.
In court, Riley’s family expressed their grief and anger. His sister, Stephanie Gonzalez, described Kenoyer as “heinous” and mocked her with a bitter remark, saying, “Lucky for you, the Department of Corrections doesn’t serve antifreeze in your iced tea.” Riley left behind five sons, and his death devastated his family.
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