Ben Renick, a 29-year-old snake breeder, was found shot to death at his reptile-breeding facility near New Florence, Missouri, on June 8, 2017. Investigators determined that the death was a homicide and began examining Renick's business, finances, and personal relationships.
Prosecutors later alleged that Lynlee Renick had participated in an unsuccessful attempt to poison her husband on May 23, 2017. That alleged precursor provides context but is not the onset of the titled murder and was not a separate conviction.
The homicide remained unsolved for more than two and a half years. In January 2020, Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators arrested Lynlee Renick and Michael Humphrey. Montgomery County prosecutors charged both with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
A jury returned first-degree-murder and armed-criminal-action verdicts against Humphrey on October 20, 2021. Before sentencing, the case was resolved under an agreement that amended the murder count to second-degree, dismissed the weapons count, and required his testimony in Lynlee Renick's trial. The court sentenced Humphrey to life with parole eligibility. The Missouri Court of Appeals later dismissed his appeal because the agreement waived direct appellate review.
A separate jury convicted Lynlee Renick on December 9, 2021, of second-degree murder and armed criminal action while acquitting her of first-degree murder. She received a 16-year sentence and withdrew her appeal in January 2023. The record preserves the first-degree acquittal and the precise final judgment for each defendant.
Ben Renick was found fatally shot at his reptile-breeding facility near New Florence, Missouri.
2020-01-16
Lynlee Renick and Michael Humphrey were arrested in connection with the killing.
2020-01-17
Prosecutors charged Renick and Humphrey with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
2021-10-20
A jury returned first-degree-murder and armed-criminal-action verdicts against Humphrey.
2021-12-09
A jury convicted Lynlee Renick of second-degree murder and armed criminal action and acquitted her of first-degree murder.
2022-01-03
Under an amended second-degree-murder resolution, Humphrey was sentenced to life with parole eligibility.
2022-01-24
Lynlee Renick was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
2023-01-09
Lynlee Renick withdrew her appeal.
2023-08-01
The Missouri Court of Appeals dismissed Humphrey's appeal because his agreement waived direct appellate review.
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Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
VIDEO
48 Hours / 3 min
Ben Renick death: "48 Hours" investigates murder of renowned snake breeder
People
Michael Humphrey
CONVICTED
After initial jury verdicts, the final resolution amended the murder count to second-degree and dismissed the weapons count; sentenced to life with parole eligibility.
Ben Renick
VICTIM
Twenty-nine-year-old snake breeder killed at his reptile-breeding facility on June 8, 2017.
Lynlee Renick
CONVICTED
Convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, acquitted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to 16 years.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Ben Renick was killed at his Missouri reptile-breeding facility on June 8, 2017; Lynlee Renick and Michael Humphrey were convicted in separate proceedings.
Where did the murder happen?
New Florence, Missouri.
Who was convicted?
Michael Humphrey (After initial jury verdicts, the final resolution amended the murder count to second-degree and dismissed the weapons count; sentenced to life with parole eligibility.) and Lynlee Renick (Convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, acquitted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to 16 years.).
