Former restaurant owner Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, was arrested Jan. 16 in Hendersonville, N.C., and charged in connection with the Dec. 1, 2025 death of 32-year-old Leela Livis and the alleged attempted murders of two other people. Authorities allege she placed the solvent acetonitrile into victims' drinks; the chemical can be converted in the body to cyanide and cause delayed toxicity. Investigators also say evidence links her to a 2007 death in Henderson County; she faces multiple murder, attempted murder and distribution charges and is being held without release.
Former Asheville Restaurateur Arrested, Accused of Poisoning Drinks; 2 Dead, Others Injured
Henderson County Sheriff's OfficeGudrun Casper-Leinenkugel mugshot
A Hendersonville, N.C., woman has been arrested and charged after authorities say she placed a poisonous solvent into the drinks of several people, killing two and injuring others.
Charges and Arrest
On Jan. 16, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) announced the arrest of 52-year-old Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel of Hendersonville. She is charged in connection with the Dec. 1, 2025, death of 32-year-old Leela Livis and faces counts related to the alleged attempted murders of Richard Pegg and Mia Lacey.
Allegations and Evidence
According to arrest documents cited by PEOPLE and the SBI, investigators allege Casper-Leinenkugel "distributed or otherwise caused to be placed in position of human accessibility or ingestion" beverages that contained the chemical acetonitrile. The warrant says she knowingly placed the chemical into victims' drinks, and that the deaths of Livis and a 2007 victim, Michael Schmidt, were committed with "malice aforethought." Detectives say they uncovered evidence linking her to Schmidt's 2007 death in Henderson County.
Leela Livis/FacebookLeela Livis, 32
Chemical Involved: Acetonitrile
Federal agencies describe acetonitrile as a clear, colorless liquid with a faint sweet odor used primarily as an industrial solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing, fiber production and certain plastics and battery components. The National Institutes of Health notes acetonitrile is slowly converted in the body to cyanide, which can cause delayed toxicity. Authorities stress that the allegations remain unproven and that charges are pending in court.
Specific Counts
The SBI says Casper-Leinenkugel is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and three counts related to the distribution of a prohibited food or beverage substance.
Status and Background
Casper-Leinenkugel formerly operated a restaurant in Asheville, according to local reporting. She is being held at the Henderson County Detention Center after a judge denied her request for release. Authorities have not disclosed whether she knew the alleged victims personally, and it is unclear whether she has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriff's Office Violent Crime Unit at 828-694-2938.
Note: The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details above are drawn from SBI statements and arrest documents cited by media reports.
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