Posted on 02/26/2026 6:46:42 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
HENDERSON COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) -- A North Carolina woman indicted on murder charges after she allegedly poisoned family members with wine during a Thanksgiving dinner could face the death penalty.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the office of District Attorney Andrew Murray filed a motion to hold a Rule 24 pretrial conference in the case of Gudrun Linda Jean Casper-Leinenkugel. A Rule 24 hearing in North Carolina is mandatory for cases where the defendant is charged with a crime punishable by death, as is the case for Casper-Leinenkugel.
Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and multiple counts of distributing a prohibited food or beverage, according to arrest warrants.
Court records allege Casper-Leinenkugel killed her daughter, Leela Jean Livis, and is responsible for the 2007 death of Michael Schmidt, both by poisoning. Investigators also allege she attempted to kill her other daughter, Mia Lacey, and Lacey's boyfriend, Richard Pegg, during a Thanksgiving gathering in November 2025.
Sheriff's investigators say the wine served during that meal was allegedly laced with acetonitrile, an industrial solvent that converts into cyanide once ingested. Warrants charge Casper-Leinenkugel with knowingly distributing a beverage containing the toxic chemical, which authorities say caused death or serious physical injury.
The warrants state the alleged poisoning of Schmidt occurred in October 2007, while the more recent allegations involve the 2025 Thanksgiving gathering in Henderson County.
Casper-Leinenkugel is being held without bond and is scheduled for a court hearing on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Married into the Leinenkugel Beer Empire?
I'm sure someone will find this information useful.
Evil. Other than that one word, words fail me.
Aborting children up to the day of birth is legal. Why is aborting them after birth illegal? (/s)
My family members have tried to k1ll me before. It’s kind of a tradition. “Is Kristi still alive?” *sigh* “Yes.” *cursing* “....I know! Let’s invite her to Thanksgiving.”
No, it wasn’t at Thanksgiving, haha, but they really did. They’re really embarrassed about it now.
After the other daughter and some random guy DIED in 2007 while in this woman’s orbit - who the heck would willingly sit down at her Thanksgiving Table? Yikes!
Is her husband still alive?
Oh my, that is embarrassing!
Never trust a baby killer!
Ghost Beer?
So, how does acetonitrile taste? Asking for a friend.
The old ACN in the wine trick. Figures.
Does this mean shooting squad? Is lethal injection disqualified?
How about a boulder the size of a car dropped from a crane?
Well DUH!.... Can we get back to real justice??? ...HANG HER!
I was curious too. My first thought was to do a search; but then . . . NAHHH.
Court records allege Casper-Leinenkugel killed her daughter, Leela Jean Livis, and is responsible for the 2007 death of Michael Schmidt, both by poisoning. Investigators also allege she attempted to kill her other daughter, Mia Lacey, and Lacey’s boyfriend, Richard Pegg, during a Thanksgiving gathering in November 2025.
Who, in their right mind, would set foot anywhere this woman ... or, anywhere she might serve food or drink, after the 2007 allegations???
Which one?
Soon to be a show on Netflix!
Waiting for the Australian production of “Death Cap” to be released - about a woman who poisoned her family with deadly mushrooms.
“Death Cap: The Mushroom Murders”
“A deadly beef Wellington at a family lunch in Gippsland, Australia killed three and critically injured one. Erin Patterson, a suburban mom, was later convicted for the incident.”
Mags Bennett Apple Pie
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