Henderson County -- May 20, 2026: A Hendersonville judge today denied bond for a local woman accused of poisoning murder, ensuring she remains in custody. The decision, made in Henderson County court, underscores the serious nature of the charges and the court's assessment of potential flight risk or danger.
Gudrun Linda Jean Casper‑Leinenkugel, 52, faces two counts of first‑degree murder, two counts of attempted first‑degree murder, and three counts of distributing a prohibited food or beverage. Judge Athena Brooks denied bond, citing precedent set under North Carolina’s recently passed "Iryna’s Law," a statute designed to strengthen victims' protections and affect release decisions in serious violent cases.
Investigators allege Casper‑Leinenkugel intentionally poisoned wine served at a Thanksgiving dinner in November 2025 at her rural Hendersonville home. Her adult daughter, Leela Jean Livis, 32, died after consuming the wine. Another adult daughter, Maija Lacey, and Lacey’s boyfriend, Richard Evan Pegg, became seriously ill but survived, leading to attempted murder charges. The wine was allegedly laced with acetonitrile, an industrial solvent that can produce cyanide inside the body.
During the investigation into Livis’ death, detectives reportedly uncovered evidence linking Casper‑Leinenkugel to the 2007 death of Mischa “Michael” Schmidt in Henderson County, resulting in a second first-degree murder charge. At the time of Schmidt's death, it was not publicly associated with Casper-Leinenkugel.
During the bond hearing, Casper‑Leinenkugel’s defense attorney challenged the strength of the state’s case, arguing that the prosecution's evidence is "weak" and lacks "direct evidence." Despite this argument, the court maintained the no-bond ruling.
Her next scheduled court appearance is a disposition hearing set for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The hearing will take place in Courtroom 0002 of the Henderson County Courthouse and will be overseen by Judge Athena Brooks.