Mom accused of killing daughter by poisoning her wine at Thanksgiving dinner, officials say

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A mother in North Carolina is accused of killing her daughter by poisoning her daughter’s wine on Thanksgiving.

Officials said 52-year-old Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel was arrested on Jan. 16 and charged with two counts each of first-degree murder and attempted murder, and three counts of distribution of certain food and beverages prohibited.

Casper-Leinenkugel allegedly held a 12-person Thanksgiving dinner in November 2025 where she allegedly poisoned the wine that her daughter, Leela Livis, another daughter and the daughter’s boyfriend were drinking.

All three drank from the same bottle, which was poisoned with acetonitrile. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said acetonitrile is a clear, colorless liquid that has many uses, including as a solvent, for spinning fibers and in lithium batteries.

It is primarily found in the air from automobile exhaust and manufacturing facilities. Short term inhalation exposure results in irritation of mucous membranes. Long-term exposure results in central nervous system effects, such as headaches, numbness and tremors.

Casper-Leinenkugel’s search history shows she searched, “What happens if I accidentally ingest acetonitrile?” the state said.

After the dinner, the three victims started feeling sick, and the daughter died on Dec. 1, 2025.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies also found evidence linking Casper-Leinenkugel to Michael Schmidt, who died in a house fire in 2007.

During the hearing, it was also revealed that Casper-Leinenkugel is tied to additional deaths that are currently under investigation.

Casper-Leinenkugel is facing the possibility of the death penalty. She was denied bond and will appear back in court for a probable cause hearing on Feb. 10.