Henderson County, North Carolina — A deeply disturbing case has emerged from western North Carolina, where a 53-year-old woman is accused of poisoning her own daughters during a Thanksgiving dinner, leaving one dead and others seriously ill. Investigators now believe the case may be tied to multiple deaths spanning nearly two decades.
According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 32-year-old daughter, Leela Livis. She also faces two counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to distributing a poisoned beverage.
What Happened During Thanksgiving Dinner
Authorities say the incident took place during a family Thanksgiving gathering last year. Investigators allege that a bottle of wine served at the dinner had been deliberately contaminated with acetonitrile, a toxic chemical that converts into cyanide inside the human body.
Both daughters and one of their boyfriends drank from the same bottle. Hours later, all three began experiencing symptoms resembling a severe flu.
Tragically, one daughter died the following day. The second daughter survived after reportedly consuming only a small amount of the wine. The boyfriend, however, suffered critical poisoning and required hospitalization for nearly a week. Medical findings showed his cyanide levels were more than five times the lethal limit.
The Poison and Its Effects
Acetonitrile is commonly used in industrial and laboratory settings, including pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chemical can produce delayed but severe toxicity once metabolized into cyanide, making it particularly dangerous and harder to detect immediately.
Suspicious Behavior and Shifting Blame
Investigators say the accused initially attempted to explain the poisoning as accidental. She reportedly claimed the wine had been stored near chemicals in a barn and suggested that children might have unknowingly contaminated it.
Witness statements, however, raised doubts. One surviving victim told authorities the wine bottle was already open when presented at the gathering and appeared partially used, which investigators found suspicious.
A container of acetonitrile was later discovered inside the residence.
A Cold Case Reopened
As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a potential link to an older, unresolved death from 2007.
Authorities now allege that Casper-Leinenkugel may have also been responsible for the death of Michael Schmidt, a 42-year-old man who lived on her property at the time. His death had originally been ruled accidental due to suspected chemical exposure.
However, similarities between the substances involved in both cases have prompted a reclassification of the earlier death. Investigators now believe the same toxic chemical may have been used.
Expanding Investigation
Prosecutors have indicated that this may not be an isolated case. The local district attorney’s office has confirmed that additional deaths connected to the suspect are currently under investigation.
Law enforcement officials say the case continues to evolve as more evidence is examined and new leads emerge.
What Happens Next
Casper-Leinenkugel is scheduled to appear in court on April 30. Authorities have not ruled out further charges as the investigation expands.
This case has shocked the local community, raising serious concerns about trust, family safety, and the hidden dangers of chemical substances when misused. Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward as they continue building the case.
