Woman Kills Snake Breeder Husband In the Worst Way Possible
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Ben Renick, a 29-year-old exotic snake breeder, was found dead in his facility on June 8, 2017, initially believed to be a snake attack.
- ❖Investigators quickly determined Ben was shot eight times in the back, not killed by a snake.
- ❖Lynlee Renick, Ben's wife, was deeply in debt ($200,000 from her spa business) and engaged in multiple extramarital affairs.
- ❖Lynlee failed a polygraph test regarding her involvement in Ben's death.
- ❖Brandon Blackwell, one of Lynlee's lovers, confessed from prison that Lynlee had previously attempted to poison Ben and was the one who shot him.
- ❖Ashley Shaw, Lynlee's coworker, admitted to helping Lynlee obtain Percocet for a prior poisoning attempt and assisting with evidence disposal after the murder.
- ❖Michael Humphrey, Lynlee's ex-boyfriend, drove her to the farm on the day of the murder and later cooperated, revealing the location of the murder weapon.
- ❖Lynlee Renick was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, receiving a 16-year prison sentence.
Insights
1Staged Accident and Rapid Discovery of Murder
Ben Renick's death was initially reported as a snake attack by his wife, Lynlee, and his brother, Sam. However, the coroner quickly identified multiple gunshot wounds to Ben's back, revealing the incident as a murder, not an accident.
Police found Ben on the floor covered in blood with his head crushed and an apparent snake bite, but the coroner determined he was shot eight times, once at close range.
2Lynlee Renick's Financial Distress and Affairs
Investigation into Lynlee Renick revealed significant financial problems, primarily from her failing day spa, and multiple extramarital relationships. These factors established strong motives for her involvement in Ben's death.
Facebook messages showed Ben and Lynlee owed $200,000 in debt on the spa. Lynlee's coworker, Ashley Shaw, confirmed Lynlee was having 'a couple affairs,' including with Eric and Brandon Blackwell.
3Failed Polygraph and Increasing Suspicion
Four months after Ben's murder, Lynlee Renick underwent a polygraph test, which she failed. The examiner explicitly stated her answers regarding involvement in Ben's death were deceptive, solidifying investigators' suspicions.
The polygraph examiner told Lynlee, 'the results of the monograph showed that you failed the test. Every question that I asked you concerning the relevant issue which is whether you were involved in any way...show that you were lying.'
4Brandon Blackwell's Confession and Prior Poisoning Attempt
Three years after the murder, Brandon Blackwell, one of Lynlee's lovers, confessed from prison, detailing Lynlee's plan. He revealed she had previously attempted to poison Ben with narcotics and that she was the one who pulled the trigger during the fatal shooting.
Brandon stated, 'he was given a protein drink one night that was laced full of enormous amounts of narcotics and somehow lived through it. But the plan was for that to be the last day of his life.' He also claimed Lynlee shot Ben after Michael Humphrey handed her the gun.
5Accomplice Confessions and Evidence Disposal
Ashley Shaw, Lynlee's coworker, confessed to helping Lynlee obtain Percocet for the poisoning attempt and assisting in cleaning up evidence after the murder. Michael Humphrey, Lynlee's ex-boyfriend, admitted to driving Lynlee to the farm and later revealed the location of the murder weapon.
Ashley stated Lynlee asked her to get 'prescription pills or anything in the amount that could help her kill him,' providing 15 Percocet. Michael described Lynlee shooting Ben and then driving her back to the spa where Ashley helped clean her.
6Lynlee's Defense and Conviction
Lynlee Renick's defense claimed Ben was abusive and that Michael Humphrey was the sole killer. However, the jury found her guilty of second-degree murder, indicating they believed she was involved but could not definitively prove premeditation for a first-degree charge.
Lynlee testified she went to the farm to ask for a divorce and that Michael shot Ben. She was found guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, receiving a 16-year sentence.
Quotes
"He wasn't killed by a snake. He was shot in the back eight times, once at close range."
"The results of the monograph showed that you failed the test. Every question that I asked you concerning the relevant issue which is whether you were involved in any way...show that you were lying."
"He was given a protein drink one night that was laced full of enormous amounts of narcotics and somehow lived through it. But the plan was for that to be the last day of his life."
"She said that there was different physical and sexual abuse going on."
"She murdered my brother to profit from his death. Lily Renick is a murderer. She will always be a murderer."
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