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Ben Renick death: "48 Hours" investigates murder of renowned snake breeder

March 11, 2022 / 02:32

This episode of 48 Hours covers the murder of snake breeder Ben Renick in 2017, the investigation into his death, and the involvement of his wife Lindley Renick.

Ben Renick was found dead at his reptile facility in Missouri, having been shot eight times. The coroner, Dave Colbert, noted the unusual nature of the death scene, surrounded by over 3,000 snakes.

Investigators initially suspected Lindley Renick, Ben's wife, due to her infidelity and potential financial motives. She stood to gain millions from Ben's life insurance and inheritance.

After nearly three years without charges, a jailhouse tip led to the arrest of Lindley and her ex-boyfriend Michael Humphrey, both of whom implicated each other in the murder.

The episode highlights the complexities of the case and the eventual unraveling of the truth behind Ben Renick's death.

TLDR

Ben Renick was murdered; his wife Lindley and ex-boyfriend were implicated after a long investigation.

Episode

2:32
00:00:00
in 2017 snake breeder ben renick was found dead at his reptile facility now investigators soon discovered that his
00:00:07
death was no accident and that a person in his life was more dangerous and slippery than any venomous creature in
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his care peter van sant has more for 48 hours on a hot missouri summer day in june
00:00:21
2017 montgomery county coroner dave colbert was called to one of the most unique death scenes of his 20-year
00:00:29
career someone being killed by a snake is not something that happens every day a literal snake pit a building with more
00:00:37
than 3 thousand exotic serpents being nervously patrolled by a team of armed sheriff's deputies
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around the victims who aren't sure if one of these snakes may have killed renowned breeder ben
00:00:52
renick who is ben that's ben but while examining ben's body the coroner made a surprising discovery he
00:01:00
had been shot eight times once at close range this was something that was not just a
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random act nearby was ben's wife lindley she had found his body and had called ben's brother sam renick to the scene
00:01:20
there's not a soul in the world that would have wanted to hurt ben but investigators soon became suspicious of
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ben's young bride they learned that lindley had been unfaithful with two men and she may have had financial motive to
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want ben dead lindley to gain millions of dollars from the death of my brother between life insurance the sale of the
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snakes and the family farm that she would inherit it was significant yet with no witnesses
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or direct evidence linking her to ben's murder she would remain a free woman for
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almost three years until a jailhouse tip broke the case wide open she walks in with a gun and
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she just shoots him a bunch of times and leaves the witness claimed that lindley
00:02:04
shot ben with the help of michael humphrey an old ex-boyfriend but after their arrest lindley and
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humphrey would both point the finger at each other who had really pulled the trigger
00:02:19
well be sure to check out this week's 48 hours episode on your local cbs station
00:02:23
and paramount plus tomorrow at 10 pm eastern you can also stream it right here on cbs news wednesday at 8 pm
00:02:30
eastern

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most shocking
  • 75
    Most intense
  • 70
    Most dramatic
  • 70
    Most surprising

Episode Highlights

  • The Mysterious Death of Ben Renick
    In 2017, snake breeder Ben Renick was found dead, leading to a shocking investigation.
    “His death was no accident; a person in his life was more dangerous than any snake.”
    @ 00m 09s
    March 11, 2022
  • A Shocking Discovery
    Coroner Dave Colbert discovered Ben had been shot eight times, revealing foul play.
    “Someone being killed by a snake is not something that happens every day.”
    @ 00m 29s
    March 11, 2022
  • A Web of Deceit
    Ben's wife Lindley had financial motives and was unfaithful, raising suspicions.
    “Lindley may have had financial motive to want Ben dead.”
    @ 01m 31s
    March 11, 2022
  • Jailhouse Tip Breaks the Case
    A witness revealed that Lindley shot Ben with the help of an ex-boyfriend.
    “She just shoots him a bunch of times and leaves.”
    @ 01m 58s
    March 11, 2022

Episode Quotes

  • There's not a soul in the world that would have wanted to hurt Ben.
    Ben Renick death: "48 Hours" investigates murder of renowned snake breeder
  • She walks in with a gun and she just shoots him a bunch of times.
    Ben Renick death: "48 Hours" investigates murder of renowned snake breeder

Key Moments

  • Murder Investigation00:09
  • Financial Motive01:31
  • Jailhouse Tip01:56

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown