Reptile breeder's body discovered in pool of blood surrounded by snakes after shocking murder

In 2017, the death of Ben Renick shockedthe reptile-handler community. Ben, a well-known reptile breeder from New Florence, Missouri, cared for more than 3,000 snakes at his facility, Renick Reptiles, where he sold many for thousands of dollars.

On June 8, Ben’s wife, Lynlee Renick, discovered himlying face down in a pool of blood at the facility. Frantic, she called Ben’s brother, Sam Renick, whorushed over to the scene before they both called 911.

Initially, Sam told emergency responders, “It had to have been a snake,” suspecting one of the many snakes had attacked Ben. Lynlee also seemed to suggest the same during her frantic 911 call, screaming that her husband was on the ground surrounded by blood.

However, the case took a shocking turn when detectives found shell casings at the scene. Coroner Dave Colbert confirmed Ben had been shot eight times. Most bullets hit his back, with at least one fired at close range to his head.

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“This was no snake attack,” Colbert said. “This was something much more heinous.”

Despite early suspicions, the investigation stalled for three years without any arrests. Both Sam and Lynlee came under scrutiny. Sam was initially a heavy suspect because Ben was considering selling the family property, which upset Sam. But after cooperating fully, including submitting to a polygraph test and showing no gun residue, he was cleared.

Attention then turned to Lynlee. A co-worker, Ashley Shaw, alleged Lynlee had affairs with multiple men, which Lynlee partially admitted. Shaw also claimed Lynlee had tried to poison Ben a month before his death with a protein shake laced with Percocet pills.

Lynlee was questioned six times and failed a polygraph test, but police lacked enough evidence to charge her at the time.

The breakthrough came in January 2020, when Brandon Blackwell, an inmate who said he had dated Lynlee after Ben’s death, came forward. He claimed Lynlee confessed to planning Ben’s murder with an ex-boyfriend, Michael Humphrey.

According to Blackwell, the pair drove to the farm with Humphrey carrying a gun and gloves. Humphrey said he was uncomfortable killing Ben, so Lynlee took the gun and shot Ben multiple times.

On January 16, 2020, police arrested Lynlee and Humphrey, charging both with murder.

Sam described Lynlee as a manipulative sociopath who lived a double life. “If you look up sociopath, her picture would be right there,” he said.

At their trials in 2021, Humphrey was convicted of first-degree murder. He testified against Lynlee, claiming he handed her the gun and she fired the shots.

Lynlee denied involvement, testifying that Humphrey shot Ben and she had no part in it. She claimed she was shocked, ran outside, and was urged to flee by Humphrey.

The jury convicted Lynlee of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison - 13 years for murder and 3 years for the armed charge. Humphrey’s sentence was reduced to second-degree murder, and he was given life with the possibility of parole.

Sam expressed his heartbreak, saying, “She really thought she could get away with it and take what she wanted after murdering my brother.”