money What to know about Dateline NBC special on snake breeder murdered by wife Lynlee Renick
The story of Ben Renick, a famous snake breeder who was murdered in 2017 by his wife, Lynlee Renick, and Lynlee Renick's ex-boyfriend Michael Humphrey, will be told to a national audience at 8 p.m. Friday on "Dateline NBC."
The murder trial of Lynlee Renick late last year captured national attention for her involvement in the bizarre Montgomery County incident.
Dateline secured interviews with Lynlee Renick; Ben Renick's brother Sam; Montgomery County EMT Deanna Wassman; defense attorney Tim Hesemann and more for Friday's episode, which is titled "Venom."
"When world-renowned snake breeder Ben Renick is found dead, first responders originally believe his missing anaconda could be to blame," NBC states in its official listing for the episode. "As the frantic hunt for a missing snake begins, the investigation soon reveals a tragic family saga and a sinister betrayal."
More: Lynlee Renick convicted of second-degree murder of snake breeding husband
Andrea Canning, a veteran Dateline NBC correspondent who has worked for the show since 2012, is the broadcast reporter for the special.
Who is Lynlee Renick?
Lynlee Renick was convicted Dec. 9 at the Boone County Courthouse of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, with the jury recommending 13 and three years, respectively, from those charges. At the final disposition in January, Circuit Judge Kevin Crane set her sentences to run consecutively, for a total of 16 years.
Lynlee Renick's defense team did not move for a new trial at the final disposition. No appeals of her conviction have been filed, based on online court records.
The arrests of Lynlee Renick and Humphrey followed statements given to the Missouri State Highway Patrol by Brandon Blackwell, another ex-boyfriend of Lynlee Renick.
Lynlee Renick has filed a lawsuit against Blackwell for defamation, claiming the statements he made that implicated her in her husband's death are false.
Blackwell did not testify during Lynlee Renick's trial. She had previously filed orders of protection against Blackwell, which — according to online court documents — he violated, leading to stalking charges.
More: Lynlee Renick to serve consecutive sentences totaling 16 years for murder of snake-breeder husband
Prosecutors did have testimony from Ashley Shaw and Rachel Hunt, employees at Lynlee Renick's now-closed Ascensia Spa, who allegedly helped in the planning of the murder. They have not faced charges due to immunity deals with prosecutors.
Humphrey also worked out a deal with prosecutors to provide the location of the murder weapon following his October conviction in Audrain County. He received life in prison on the lesser charge of second-degree murder. He originally was charged with first-degree murder and had mounted no defense at his trial.
Lynlee Renick allegedly tried to lay blame for Ben Renick's death at his brother Sam Renick's feet during the homicide investigation in 2017.
"Lynlee covered up her actions for years and she told countless lies to protect herself and to deceive others about her involvement in this case," Sam Renick said in January. "... Lynlee Renick is a murderer and she will always be a murderer."
After Lynlee Renick's December conviction, Ben Renick family friend Bobbette Tucker said that justice was not done with regard to the jury's recommended sentence.
"It seems like in the state of Missouri, a person's life is worth 13 years," she said.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Dateline NBC to tell story of murdered snake breeder Ben Renick
