The devastating plane crash that claimed the life of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle has brought a painful chapter of his past back into the spotlight: his acrimonious divorce and a shocking legal battle involving hidden cameras. Biffle, 55, was killed alongside six others, including his second wife Cristina, his 14-year-old daughter Emma, and his five-year-old son Ryder, when his private Cessna jet crashed and burst into flames at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday.
A Tumultuous Marriage and Bitter Legal Aftermath
Biffle's first marriage, to Nicole Lunders, ended in a highly public and contentious divorce in 2016, a year after their separation. The split was far from amicable, escalating into a series of serious allegations that played out in court. The most shocking claim came in 2017 when Lunders sued her ex-husband, accusing him of installing hidden cameras throughout their North Carolina marital home without her knowledge.
Lunders alleged that Biffle placed the covert devices in private areas, including the master bedroom and bathroom, capturing footage of her and her mother, Sara Lunders, in states of undress. Her attorney stated the cameras recorded Lunders nude at her vanity and near the shower. She further claimed Biffle not only captured these images but also shared them, uploading some to an internal server at his workplace—an allegation Biffle denied.
Conflicting Claims and a Courtroom Verdict
Biffle fought the allegations vigorously. His defence argued that Lunders was aware of the cameras, which he said were installed in 2013 over fears that household staff were stealing from him. He stated he could access the feeds remotely on his phone. Lunders countered that while she knew of security cameras on the property, she was unaware of the hidden ones in the most private rooms.
The trial revealed allegations of infidelity from both sides. Lunders suggested Biffle installed the cameras to catch her in an alleged affair, a claim intertwined with a separate lawsuit Biffle filed against her tennis instructor. In August 2018, a North Carolina jury found that Biffle had violated his ex-wife's privacy and ordered him to pay her $250,001. However, they did not rule that he had invaded her mother's privacy.
Recent Tensions and a Final Tragedy
Even years after the divorce, legal disputes persisted. As recently as last year, Lunders took Biffle back to court, accusing him of failing to maintain health insurance for their daughter Emma as per their 2018 custody agreement. Court documents show the case was dismissed in January 2025 after Biffle provided proof of coverage, just one day before a scheduled hearing.
The couple's shared tragedy is now the unimaginable loss of their daughter. Emma, whom they welcomed in 2011, died alongside her father, stepmother, and half-brother in the catastrophic crash. The families, including Lunders, issued a joint heartbroken statement, describing Emma as "a wonderful human being with a kind soul" and Ryder as an "infinitely joyful child."
The statement also paid tribute to the other victims: Biffle's second wife Cristina, fellow NASCAR figure Craig Wadsworth, and Dennis Dutton and his son Jack. It noted that the plane, bound for Sarasota, Florida, had taken off and circled back, potentially indicating a mechanical issue prior to the fatal landing attempt. The incident leaves a complex legacy of sporting achievement, personal turmoil, and profound grief.
