HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Henderson County woman accused of fatally poisoning her daughter with tainted wine during a Thanksgiving gathering — and later linked to a second death nearly two decades earlier — remains jailed without bond as prosecutors continue building a sprawling murder case that has drawn national attention.
Gudrun Linda Jean Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, of Hendersonville, faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of distributing prohibited food or beverages, according to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Casper-Leinenkugel’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 20 after a previously planned bond hearing was continued, according to court records.
Investigators allege Casper-Leinenkugel poisoned wine served during a Thanksgiving weekend dinner at her Hendersonville home in November 2025. Authorities say her 32-year-old daughter, Leela Jean Livis, died after consuming the wine, while two others — identified as Mia Lacey and Richard Pegg — became seriously ill but survived.
Investigators say the wine contained acetonitrile, an industrial solvent that can produce cyanide inside the body.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges Jan. 16 after what officials described as an extensive investigation conducted with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.
Thanksgiving gathering at center of investigation
Search warrants and court documents allege several family members and acquaintances attended the Thanksgiving weekend gathering at Casper-Leinenkugel’s home on Nov. 30, 2025.
Investigators say wine served during the dinner had been tampered with before being consumed by Livis, Lacey and Pegg, all of whom later developed severe flu-like symptoms.
Livis was later found dead at her home in Cullowhee after deputies responded to a welfare check request on Dec. 1, 2025.
Authorities said toxicology findings revealed high levels of acetonitrile in her system, prompting a broader criminal investigation.
Pegg was hospitalized for several days following the gathering, according to court filings.
Search warrants reveal additional details
Recently unsealed search warrants show detectives seized multiple electronic devices and other items from Casper-Leinenkugel’s home, including a bottle labeled “acetonitrile,” according to regional media reports and court records.
Investigators also allege they reviewed text messages discussing the purchase of acetonitrile online. According to search warrants, Casper-Leinenkugel told investigators another person purchased the chemical for her because she could not access her online shopping accounts.
While investigating Livis’ death, detectives said they uncovered evidence tying Casper-Leinenkugel to the 2007 death of Michael “Misha” Schmidt in Henderson County, leading to a second murder charge.
Authorities have released few details about the evidence connecting the two cases, citing the ongoing investigation.
Investigators have also reexamined the 2017 death of Casper-Leinenkugel’s husband in Wisconsin, though authorities have not announced any criminal charges connected to that case.
Prosecutors will not seek death penalty
During a February hearing in Henderson County Superior Court, prosecutors announced they would not seek the death penalty.
Casper-Leinenkugel remains held without bond at the Henderson County Detention Center.
Her defense attorney has maintained her innocence and previously sought her release on bond.
Prosecutors have not disclosed when the case could go to trial, and investigators say the broader inquiry remains active.