North Carolina Mother Accused of Poisoning Her Two Daughters During Thanksgiving Dinner — One Daughter Died

What should have been a family Thanksgiving gathering turned into a deadly tragedy in North Carolina. A 53-year-old mother, Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, is accused of poisoning wine served during a holiday dinner, resulting in the death of one of her daughters and leaving two other people seriously ill.

According to investigators, the dinner took place at the family’s home in November 2025. Prosecutors allege that the wine contained acetonitrile, a toxic chemical that the body can convert into cyanide. Those who drank it reportedly became sick afterward.

Her daughter, 32-year-old Leela Livis, was later found dead at her home on December 1. Her other daughter, Maija Lacey, and Lacey’s boyfriend, Richard Pegg, also became ill after drinking the wine but survived. Pegg reportedly required hospitalization.

The investigation took an even more troubling turn when authorities said they found evidence allegedly connecting Casper-Leinenkugel to the 2007 death of Michael Schmidt, a man who died on the same property. She faces murder charges in connection with both deaths, as well as attempted murder charges related to the Thanksgiving incident.

Casper-Leinenkugel has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the cases remain subject to the legal process.

A family gathering meant for celebration and togetherness has become the center of a disturbing criminal investigation, leaving loved ones searching for answers.

🔗 Read the full report: https://people.com/north-carolina-mom-accused-of-trying-to-kill-two-daughters-with-poison-at-thanksgiving-dinner-12184958