A woman linked to several murders poisoned her older daughters during Thanksgiving dinner and blamed it on children playing with chemicals in a barn, according to police

A deeply unsettling case out of North Carolina has revealed new details about an alleged poisoning that turned a family Thanksgiving dinner into a deadly Cases. Authorities claim a mother deliberately laced wine with a toxic chemical, leading to the death of one daughter and serious harm to others.

Overview of the Case

Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 53, is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of her 32-year-old daughter, Leela Livis. The case is being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

In addition to the murder charge, the defendant also faces:

• Two counts of attempted murder
• Three counts of distributing contaminated food or beverages

These charges stem from a Thanksgiving gathering last year, where multiple family members consumed wine that was later found to be poisoned.

What Happened During Thanksgiving Dinner

According to investigators, the poisoning occurred during a family Thanksgiving celebration at the defendant’s residence. A bottle of wine served at the dinner had been contaminated with acetonitrile, a dangerous chemical solvent.

All three victims — the defendant’s two daughters and one daughter’s boyfriend — drank from the same bottle. Shortly after, they began experiencing flu-like symptoms, which later escalated into something far more serious.

One of the daughters, Leela Livis, died the following day after consuming the poisoned wine. The other victims survived but required medical attention.

The Toxic Chemical: Acetonitrile

Acetonitrile is not a typical household substance. It is an industrial chemical used in pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and battery production. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acetonitrile becomes especially dangerous once inside the human body.

Understanding the Danger

• Acetonitrile converts into cyanide after ingestion
• The effects are often delayed, making it harder to detect early
• Symptoms can initially resemble common illnesses like the flu
• High exposure can lead to fatal poisoning

This delayed toxicity is believed to have contributed to the severity of the incident, as victims did not immediately realize they had been poisoned.

Impact on the Victims

The poisoning had devastating consequences:

• Leela Livis (32): Died the next day due to cyanide poisoning
• Second daughter: Experienced mild symptoms after only a few sips
• Boyfriend: Hospitalized for six days with cyanide levels over five times the lethal limit

The severity varied depending on how much of the contaminated wine each person consumed.

Key Evidence and Investigation Findings

Investigators uncovered several critical details that strengthened the case:

• A bottle of acetonitrile was found inside the home
• The wine bottle served at dinner was already open
• The bottle appeared to have a small amount missing before being presented
• The wine had been stored near other chemicals, including rat poison

The defendant claimed that someone else in the household purchased the chemical and suggested the contamination may have been accidental. She also told medical staff that children might have accessed the area where chemicals were stored.

However, statements from witnesses and physical evidence raised doubts about this explanation. One daughter told investigators the wine bottle appeared pre-opened, suggesting possible tampering before the gathering.

Link to a 2007 Cold Case

As investigators dug deeper, they connected Casper-Leinenkugel to a previously closed case from 2007.

She is now also accused in the death of Michael Schmidt, a 42-year-old man who lived on her property at the time. Schmidt’s death was originally ruled accidental, attributed to “acute acetonitrile toxicity.”

New Developments in the Old Case

• Schmidt had transferred property ownership to the defendant in 2006
• He died shortly after spending time drinking with her
• The same chemical — acetonitrile — is now believed to have been involved
• His death is being re-examined as a potential homicide

Authorities reopened the case after noticing similarities between the two incidents and an increase in emergency calls linked to the defendant’s residence.

Pattern of Suspicion

Prosecutors now believe the case may be part of a broader pattern. The local district attorney has stated that Casper-Leinenkugel could be connected to additional deaths currently under investigation.

This has significantly raised the stakes of the case, suggesting the possibility of multiple victims over several years.

Background of the Defendant

Before these allegations, Casper-Leinenkugel had a public profile as a business owner. In 2016, she was featured in a local news outlet for opening a restaurant called Patton Public House in Asheville.

According to reports, she had previously opened six restaurants and bars across the United States. This background contrasts sharply with the serious criminal accusations she now faces.

Timeline of Events

Legal Outlook

The charges against Casper-Leinenkugel are severe and could result in life imprisonment if she is convicted. First-degree murder charges typically require proof of intent, which prosecutors may attempt to establish through:

• Evidence of premeditation
• The handling and placement of the poison
• Prior similar incidents

The attempted murder charges related to the surviving victims further complicate the case and increase potential penalties.

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