North Dakota Woman Sentenced in Antifreeze Murder
Ina Thea Kenoyer received 25 years in prison for poisoning Steven Riley over a fraudulent $30 million inheritance.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Financial Crime
Ina Thea Kenoyer was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Steven Riley, who died from antifreeze poisoning on September 5, 2023. Kenoyer had laced the victim's iced tea with ethylene glycol in a plot driven by a belief in a fake $30 million inheritance.
Why it matters
The case highlights the lethal consequences of online financial scams, as Kenoyer committed the murder based on the false belief that Riley was set to inherit millions. It serves as a grim reminder of how digital misinformation can manifest into real-world violence.
A North Dakota judge sentenced Ina Thea Kenoyer to 25 years in prison following her 2024 guilty plea to felony murder. The court also ordered Kenoyer to pay $3,455 in compensation to the victim's family.
The players
Ina Thea Kenoyer
She is the individual convicted of murdering her partner after being misled by a fraudulent financial scheme.
Steven Riley
He was the victim of a fatal poisoning and the father of five children.
The details
Kenoyer poisoned Riley's tea with ethylene glycol, the primary ingredient in antifreeze, following their 10-year relationship. Police later recovered a Windex bottle containing the toxic chemical and a mug with traces of the poison from the garage of the home.
Timeline
September 3, 2023: Steven Riley fell ill after drinking the poisoned tea.
September 5, 2023: Steven Riley died in the hospital.
October 30, 2023: Ina Thea Kenoyer was taken into custody.
2024: Ina Thea Kenoyer pleaded guilty to felony murder.
Legal Context
This case follows the sentencing pattern established by the 2023 North Dakota felony murder sentencing guidelines for cases involving premeditated poisoning. It underscores how state courts address violent crimes rooted in extreme financial delusions.
The resolution of this case brings legal closure to a violent crime that shocked the community. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant against online inheritance scams that promise large, unsolicited sums of money.
The takeaway
The tragic outcome of this relationship serves as a stark warning about the dangers of acting on unverified financial promises received online. Individuals should always treat claims of unexpected, multi-million dollar windfalls as potential indicators of a malicious scam.
Further reading
For more on how authorities track illicit activities, see the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Irish mirror.
