A North Carolina woman accused of poisoning multiple family members — including her own daughter — will not face the death penalty as her high-profile case heads toward trial.
During a court hearing in Henderson County on Feb. 26, prosecutors confirmed they will pursue the case against Gudrun Linda Casper-Leinenkugel as noncapital. Assistant District Attorney John Douglas Mundy made the announcement during what’s known as a Rule 24 hearing, a required proceeding in cases that could qualify for the death penalty.
Casper-Leinenkugel is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of distributing poisoned food or beverages. Prosecutors allege she laced a bottle of wine with a toxic chemical during a Thanksgiving gathering on Nov. 30, 2025.
According to court records, three people — her 32-year-old daughter Leela Jean Livis, Richard Pegg and Mia Lacey — drank from the same bottle before suddenly becoming ill.
Investigators claim the wine was contaminated with acetonitrile, an industrial chemical that metabolizes into cyanide in the body and can cause delayed but deadly toxicity. Livis died the following day, Dec. 1, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
The case took an even darker turn when detectives allegedly uncovered evidence tying Casper-Leinenkugel to a 2007 death in Henderson County. Michael Schmidt’s death was previously ruled as acute acetonitrile toxicity, with his certificate noting “probably huffing,” according to reports.
Casper-Leinenkugel, once a local entrepreneur who helped operate Asheville establishments including Bean Werks Coffee and Tea and Patton Public House, now faces a trial that has rocked the community.
Livis’ father, Travis Peterson, described learning of his daughter’s death as “a gut punch,” calling her his “firstborn kid.”
Several family members, including alleged victim Mia Lacey, were present in court when prosecutors announced the decision not to seek the death penalty.
Casper-Leinenkugel’s defense attorney, Paul Bidwell, has said she “firmly denies the criminal allegations against her and intends to defend herself vigorously.”
Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 30 as the chilling Thanksgiving poisoning case continues to unfold.