Timothy Bliefnick, 39, of Quincy, Illinois, was convicted of murdering his estranged wife Rebecca 'Becky' Bliefnick, 41, in February. The trial heard that Bliefnick had joked about his marriage on the TV show Family Feud in 2020, saying the worst mistake on his wedding night was saying 'I do'. Host Steve Harvey quipped he would face 'a lot of hell to pay'.
On 23 February, Becky failed to pick up her three sons from school. Her father found her body in her bathroom after receiving a text from Bliefnick asking him to check on her. Prosecutors said shell casings at Bliefnick's home matched those at the scene, and Becky's DNA was found in an Aldi bag at his house. Another Aldi bag was used as a homemade silencer.
Bliefnick was arrested on 13 March and pleaded not guilty. The trial heard he made online searches for 'how to wash off gunpowder', 'average police response time', and 'how to open a door with a crowbar'. The defence presented no evidence. On 31 May, a jury convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion after four hours of deliberation.
Prosecutors said the murder was the culmination of domestic violence and threats. The couple had filed for divorce in early 2021, and Becky had a restraining order. Bliefnick was ordered to pay child support and maintenance. He faces 45 years to life in prison at sentencing on 11 August.
