Ina Thea Kenoyer, 48, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering her boyfriend, Steven Edward Riley Jr., by poisoning him in hopes of claiming his supposed $30 million (₹252 crore) inheritance. However, the inheritance was based on a fraudulent email, and instead of receiving money, she faces a lengthy prison term.
Fatal Deception
Riley, 51, died on September 5, 2023, after Kenoyer spiked his sweet tea with ethylene glycol, an ingredient commonly found in antifreeze. Authorities indicated that Kenoyer believed Riley was about to inherit the large sum, but this claim was later proven to be false. Detectives are still investigating who contacted Riley about the inheritance.
Kenoyer had been in a relationship with Riley for ten years. On the day of the poisoning, Riley planned to consult a lawyer about the inheritance. After drinking the tainted tea, he showed signs of illness, which Kenoyer mistakenly attributed to heat stroke, delaying medical help until it was too late.
Trial Revelations
During the trial, friends testified that Kenoyer had previously joked about poisoning Riley. An autopsy revealed that ethylene glycol was the cause of death, contradicting Kenoyer’s claims that heat stroke from excessive drinking was responsible. Toxicology reports found no alcohol in Riley’s system.
In court, family members expressed their heartbreak and anger over Kenoyer’s actions. Riley’s sister, Stephany Gonzalez, remarked, “To have you take away someone so important… it’s just hurtful.” His son, Ryan Riley, described his father’s death as a “selfish” act driven by greed, highlighting the emotional toll on the family.
In addition to her prison sentence, Kenoyer must pay $3,455 in restitution to Riley’s family and will be under supervised probation for ten years following her release. Her case serves as a grim reminder of the tragic outcomes that can result from deception and betrayal in personal relationships, illustrating the severe impact of crimes motivated by greed.
