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Woman Sentenced to Life for Boyfriend’s 2024 Stabbing; Witnesses Say She Tried to Stage the Attack

02:26 AM, 11/27/2025
Woman Sentenced to Life for Boyfriend’s 2024 Stabbing; Witnesses Say She Tried to Stage the Attack

Samantha Krebs, 40, was convicted of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life for the July 18, 2024, stabbing death of her boyfriend, Joey Carnot. Witnesses say Krebs kissed Carnot goodbye after the attack and attempted to make it appear self-inflicted, with one witness reporting she said, “I can’t go back to prison.” Prosecutors highlighted Krebs’s lengthy criminal history and probation status at the time; the judge ordered restitution and set eligibility for extended supervision after 36 years.

A woman has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree homicide in the July 18, 2024, stabbing death of her boyfriend, Joey Carnot. Samantha Krebs, 40, received a life term with eligibility for extended supervision—Wisconsin’s form of parole—after 36 years.

According to witness accounts introduced at trial, friends arrived at the couple’s apartment and found Carnot with stab wounds while Krebs remained at the scene. Witnesses say Krebs kissed Carnot goodbye after the attack and tried to frame the incident as a self-inflicted injury, telling others to say he had stabbed himself. One witness reported hearing her say, “I can’t go back to prison.”

Prosecutors emphasized Krebs’s lengthy criminal history, which stretches more than a decade and includes roughly 20 prior cases and 37 convictions for offenses such as drug possession, battery and weapons-related charges. Officials said Krebs was on probation at the time of the killing and argued that her record showed a continuing risk to public safety.

Court filings cited convictions between 2011 and 2022 for possession of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, injury by negligent use of a weapon, and multiple battery counts. Prosecutors said that pattern of offenses supported a life sentence.

Family members spoke at sentencing about the impact of Carnot’s death. His mother described persistent grief: “The heartache just doesn’t go away. I have dreams about him, only to wake up and realize that he’s not here with us anymore.” His sister remembered him as generous and joyful, saying he “had the biggest heart” and that his laugh was contagious.

Krebs addressed the court, saying she loved Carnot and calling her actions “tragic decisions” made while she was “high and in shock.” She denied responsibility for his death while acknowledging she had made poor choices. The judge rejected that account, calling portions of her statement “window dressing” and noting that her involvement in drug culture should have signaled the potential for a violent outcome.

Judge Vincent Biskupic imposed the life sentence with extended supervision possible after 36 years and ordered Krebs to pay more than $8,000 in restitution. He also encouraged her to use her time in custody to change course.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or need help, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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