A 52-year-old woman from North Carolina stands accused of fatally poisoning a 32-year-old individual by secretly adding a dangerous chemical that converts to cyanide into their drink. Investigators have now revealed they believe she may be responsible for another murder dating back nearly two decades, expanding the case into a double-homicide probe.
Charges and Arrest Details
Gudrun Linda Jean Casper-Leinenkugel, aged 52, has been formally charged with the first-degree murder of Leela Jean Livis in late 2025. Additionally, she faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly targeting Maija Lacey, 28, and Richard Pegg during the same incident. Authorities have also levied three counts of distributing a prohibited food or beverage against her.
A judge has denied her release, and she remains detained at the Henderson County Detention Center. The arrest warrant, reviewed by legal sources, specifies that she placed acetonitrile—a solvent used in pharmaceutical and battery manufacturing—into beverages accessible to the victims.
Connection to 2007 Homicide
While examining the recent poisoning case, detectives uncovered evidence linking Casper-Leinenkugel to the 2007 homicide of Michael Schmidt. This discovery has transformed the inquiry into a broader double-murder investigation. Officials have not disclosed the nature of the new evidence or how it ties her to the earlier killing, citing the need to protect the ongoing investigation's integrity.
Chemical Danger and Medical Implications
Acetonitrile poses a severe threat because the human body gradually converts it into hydrogen cyanide, a highly lethal compound. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while the solvent itself has only modest direct toxicity, it acts as a 'pro-toxin,' releasing cyanide over several hours. This delayed action can cause symptoms to appear long after exposure, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
The CDC warns that cyanide prevents cells from using oxygen, effectively causing internal suffocation even when blood oxygen levels appear normal. Reported symptoms range from headaches and dizziness to seizures, irregular heartbeat, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death. Suspected exposure is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Background and Local Business
Before her arrest, Casper-Leinenkugel was known locally as the owner of Patton Public House, a European-style pub in Asheville that opened in 2016. Featured in a 2016 Mountain Xpress profile, she described it as a family-friendly gathering place with an extensive beer list, German comfort food, and a dog-friendly patio.
She told the outlet that her family runs the Leinenkugel Brewing Co. in Wisconsin, claimed to have opened six restaurants and bars across the country, and split her childhood between Germany and the upper Midwest. The Asheville pub emphasised German traditions, offering a 'Drink the Wall' beer-sampling program and dishes like pierogies, schnitzel, and sauerbraten.
Investigation and Public Safety
The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and the District Attorney's Office. Authorities have stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the public and have urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
No future court date has been listed at this time. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for further comment on the case's developments.
