Hendersonville Woman Charged with Two Murders

A Hendersonville woman is facing multiple murder and attempted murder charges after investigators say a 2025 homicide led them to evidence in a nearly 20-year-old cold case.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said Friday that Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, 52, has been charged in the murder of Leela Livis, on Nov. 30, 2025, and the attempted murders of Richard Pegg and Mia Lacey on the same day, and the murder of Michael Schmidt in Henderson County, which occurred on Oct. 29, 2007, according to court filings.

Authorities said the charges are the result of an extensive, multi-agency investigation led by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Unit with assistance from state and local partners.

Casper-Leinenkugel is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and three felony counts of distribution of a prohibited food or beverage. Court documents allege the distribution charges involve beverages containing acetonitrile, a toxic chemical capable of causing death or serious injury.

She is being held in the Henderson County Detention Center. Investigators said there is no current or ongoing threat to the public.

Evidence revived a cold case

According to investigators, evidence uncovered during the 2025 homicide investigation led detectives to reexamine the 2007 death of Michael Schmidt, which had remained unsolved for years. Authorities said the new evidence was sufficient to support a first-degree murder charge tied to that case.

Law enforcement officials have not released details about the evidence or how the cases are connected, citing the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

What court records show

Arrest warrants issued Friday allege Casper-Leinenkugel acted with malice aforethought in the killings of Schmidt and Livis and attempted to kill Pegg and Lacey. The poisoning-related counts allege she knowingly placed beverages containing acetonitrile in a position where they could be consumed.

The warrants state a judicial official found probable cause based on sworn information provided by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Court filings indicate Casper-Leinenkugel waived a probable cause hearing with the consent of her attorney. A first appearance hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, according to public records.

If convicted, first-degree murder carries a potential sentence of life in prison without parole under North Carolina law. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty.

Agencies credit cooperation

Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin thanked the agencies involved, including the SBI, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the District Attorney’s Office, for their collaboration.

Investigators described the case as complex and said the cooperation of multiple agencies was critical to moving it forward.

Call for tips

Officials said the investigation remains active and are asking anyone with information to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Unit at 828-694-2938.

Authorities emphasized that while the allegations are serious, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.