A North Carolina woman has been arrested on murder and attempted murder charges after authorities say she poisoned the drinks of at least four people, killing two.
Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, of Hendersonville, was arrested on Friday, Jan. 16, and charged in connection with the Dec. 1, 2025 death of Leela Livis, 32, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Investigators say Casper-Leinenkugel is also facing attempted murder charges involving Richard Pegg and Mia Lacey. Detectives additionally reported finding evidence they allege links her to the 2007 death of Michael Schmidt in Henderson County.
The SBI said Casper-Leinenkugel is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and three counts of distribution of certain food and beverage prohibited.
According to arrest warrants, authorities allege Casper-Leinenkugel “distributed or otherwise caused to be placed in position of human accessibility or ingestion” a beverage containing the chemical acetonitrile, which the warrants say “might cause death or serious physical injury.” The warrants further allege she knowingly placed acetonitrile into the victims’ beverages and acted with “malice aforethought” in the deaths of Livis and Schmidt.
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Acetonitrile, the EPA says, is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet odor and is commonly used as a solvent in manufacturing, including pharmaceuticals and materials used in lithium batteries. The NIH notes that acetonitrile can be slowly converted to cyanide, which can lead to delayed toxic effects.
Casper-Leinenkugel previously operated a restaurant in Asheville, WKRC reports.
She is being held at the Henderson County Detention Center after a judge denied her request for release. Authorities have not said how, or if, she knew the alleged victims.
It was not immediately clear whether she has an attorney who can speak on her behalf.
