North Dakota Woman Sentenced to 25 Years for Poisoning Boyfriend Over Fake $30 Million Inheritance
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA — A North Dakota woman has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after authorities say she poisoned her boyfriend with antifreeze last year, believing she would soon share in his supposed $30 million inheritance.
According to court documents, Ina Thea Kenoyer, 47, admitted to killing Steven Edward Riley Jr., 51, in September 2023. Investigators said she laced his drinks with antifreeze just hours after Riley told her he had inherited a multimillion-dollar fortune from a distant relative.
However, officials later revealed that the inheritance claim was a complete scam, and no such money ever existed.
Poisoned Over a False Promise of Wealth
Prosecutors said Kenoyer’s motive stemmed from greed and anger after learning Riley planned to leave her once the alleged inheritance came through. She reportedly believed she was entitled to half of the money because of their years-long relationship — but North Dakota law does not recognize common-law marriages.
When Riley began feeling ill, Kenoyer allegedly refused to take him to the hospital immediately. Instead, she insisted he was drunk and let him deteriorate until he was later found unresponsive.
An autopsy confirmed antifreeze poisoning as the cause of death.
Courtroom Details and Sentencing
Kenoyer initially denied any involvement but later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea agreement. During her sentencing hearing, prosecutors described her actions as “cold, deliberate, and driven by greed.”
Judge Lisa Fair McEvers handed down the 25-year prison sentence, calling the act “a devastating betrayal of trust.”
In addition to her prison term, Kenoyer was ordered to pay $3,455 in restitution to Riley’s family. Members of the victim’s family delivered emotional statements in court, describing their heartbreak and disbelief.
“Steven was kind and hardworking. He didn’t deserve this — not from someone he trusted,” one family member said tearfully during the hearing.
Legal Aftermath
The investigation revealed that Kenoyer had been searching online for ways to poison someone using antifreeze in the days leading up to Riley’s death. Authorities said the evidence against her was overwhelming, including toxicology reports, internet searches, and witness testimony.
Officials also confirmed that the alleged $30 million inheritance that sparked the deadly chain of events was part of an online scam that Riley had unknowingly fallen victim to.
Community Reaction
The shocking case has rattled residents in the Grand Forks area, where Kenoyer and Riley were well-known. Local officials said the case serves as a tragic reminder of how financial deceit and manipulation can spiral into devastating consequences.
“It’s one of the most senseless cases we’ve seen,” said a spokesperson for the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. “A man lost his life over money that never even existed.”
Kenoyer is currently being held at the North Dakota Department of Corrections, where she will serve her sentence with eligibility for parole after 20 years.
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