A North Carolina restaurant owner has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder after allegedly poisoning four people over an 18-year period. Authorities allege 52-year-old Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel used acetonitrile, an industrial solvent that metabolizes into deadly cyanide, in beverages served to her victims, exposing an alarming vulnerability in everyday dining safety.
Story Highlights
- Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, charged with two murders and two attempted murders using acetonitrile-laced beverages.
- Victims span 18 years: Michael Schmidt killed in 2007, Leela Livis in 2025, attempts on Richard Pegg and Mia Lacey.
- Acetonitrile, an industrial solvent, metabolizes into cyanide, causing delayed death per CDC facts.
- Former owner of multiple restaurants, including Asheville’s Patton Public House, held without bond.
Charges and Arrest Details
Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation announced Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel’s arrest on January 19, 2026. Prosecutors charged the 52-year-old with first-degree murder for the 2025 death of 32-year-old Leela Livis and the 2007 murder of Michael Schmidt. She faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder for poisoning Richard Pegg and Mia Lacey in 2025. Authorities allege she used acetonitrile in beverages, a solvent that converts to cyanide in the body.
Woman charged with murder after allegedly poisoning drinks.
Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, faces charges in the 2025 death of 32-year-old Leela Livis, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation announced.
Authorities said Casper-Leinenkugel distributed a beverage… pic.twitter.com/5m5FKpxuAy
— 0HOUR1 (@0hour1) January 20, 2026
Toxic Mechanism and Investigation Link
Acetonitrile, used in pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and batteries, produces cyanide upon metabolism, leading to delayed toxicity symptoms. The 2025 poisonings triggered forensics that connected Casper-Leinenkugel to Schmidt’s 2007 death in Henderson County. NCSBI detectives found evidence during the recent probe, spanning nearly two decades. Warrants detail the chemical’s distribution in prohibited food or beverages, adding three related counts. Law enforcement withheld victim relationships and motives.
Suspect’s Restaurant Background
Casper-Leinenkugel operated six restaurants before opening Patton Public House in Asheville, North Carolina, featured in a 2016 local story. No prior incidents tied to her businesses emerged in investigations. Her proximity to Henderson County raises alarms for residents who patronized her venues. The case underscores risks of accessible industrial chemicals in food service settings. Common sense demands vigilance against such covert threats in daily life.
Held without bond at Henderson County Detention Facility, a judge denied release. No court date is scheduled yet. Immediate detention protects the community from further harm.
Community and Broader Impacts
Henderson County and Asheville communities face food safety concerns from the restaurant ties. Victims’ families seek justice amid the unfolding trial. Local law enforcement resources stretch thin on this serial case. Long-term, it may advance poisoning detection methods and prompt reviews of solvent access in consumer industries. No policy changes reported, but awareness grows over acetonitrile dangers.
Sources:
- North Carolina Woman Charged With Poisoning 3 People With Cyanide
- ‘Forms cyanide in the body’: Woman dosed multiple people with poisonous chemical and killed 2, police say
- Warrants: Murder suspect placed poisonous chemical in victims beverages
- Woman charged with murder, distributing prohibited food, beverage
