He he is >> I thought everybody knew. >> Don't tell me anything. Oh my god. [music] I want a lawyer. >> Okay, that's fine. Um, >> am I being arrested? >> Nope, you're not being arrested. We're just talking. So, but if you want to if you want a lawyer, we can stop talking right now. That's fine. Um, >> but I'm telling you the God honest truth. >> I'm not >> I don't know what happened. I wasn't there. I WISH I WAS THERE. I WISH I WAS WITH HIM EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY THAT DAY. I WISH I WATCHED EVERY SINGLE BUT I'M NOT HIS GODDAMN MOM. You asked for a lawyer, Ena. So, we're just going to end this now. Okay. I'm not going to talk anymore. [music] All right. >> This is Ena Thea Canoyer and she's accused of a deeply disturbing crime. She doesn't like where this interrogation is heading and it shows. But to understand how she ended up in that chair, we have to go back to the beginning. The story of how Ena Canoyer and Steven Riley connected was far from [music] glamorous. They met more than a decade earlier during an evening meal organized by a homeless shelter in Washington. They lived together for 2 years and developed a close relationship. The couple then relocated to Minot, North Dakota, sharing an apartment in a multifamily dwelling, hoping to build a new life together. But that life hadn't been easy for either of them. They frequently struggled to find stable employment and to make ends meet. Ena had grown up in instability with a childhood shaped by hardship and poverty. Steven, better known as Steve, struggled with substance abuse. His repeated DUIs and license suspensions limited his work options mostly to odd jobs. Despite these challenges, Ena stood by his side financially, including bailing him out of jail at least once. Steve had five children [music] from two previous marriages and was estranged from much of his family. The one [music] exception was his son Ryan, who had joined the Texas National Guard about 7 years earlier and with whom he had recently rekindled his relationship. Then came an email that changed everything. Someone claiming to be an attorney [music] contacted Steve with news of a $17 million inheritance allegedly left to him by a distant uncle in Ireland, Marcus Riley. When additional assets were factored in, the total value was believed to exceed $30 million. [music] Steve believed his ship had finally come in, and he was determined to sail alone. September 3rd, 2023 was supposed to mark a major turning point for Steve. A solicitor named Richard was flying in from London, and the plan was to meet at Minot Airport at 2 p.m. to finalize the deal. As usual, as the plans were coming together, Ena was with him preparing one of his favorite drinks, iced tea, throughout the day. She was overjoyed for Steve and herself, as she knew she would benefit from Steve's windfall. [music] According to her, Steve even recently mentioned getting married in Ireland. What she didn't know, however, was that Steve's financial luck had caused him to re-evaluate his life choices, including their relationship. He had decided that once the ink on the inheritance papers had dried, he was going to leave Ena behind. But by that evening, the mood of eager anticipation had shifted. While at the airport waiting for the attorney, Steve, accompanied by Ena and some of his friends, began to feel ill. He said he felt drunk despite having no alcohol, complained of stomach pain, and struggled to stay on his feet, nearly collapsing at one point. Within an hour, his condition worsened. He began vomiting, could no longer walk on his own, and drifted in and out of consciousness. Multiple witnesses told police that Ena, who claimed to have medical training, insisted Steve was suffering from heat stroke and refused to seek medical care, saying he just needed to go home and rest. The group eventually left the airport after it became clear the solicitor would not arrive. The meeting was rescheduled to 8:00 p.m. but again the solicitor did not show. There would be no additional opportunities. The following afternoon at approximately 12:10 p.m. May not central dispatch received a 911 call from Ena Canoy. >> 911 of your e >> my husband's really sick. He got heat drunk yesterday and now he's not waking up. And >> come on, wake up. >> What's the phone number calling from? >> I don't have a phone number. >> It's a PHONE THAT NEVER GOT FINISHED getting set up. >> Okay. >> How old is he? >> Send uh he's 51 today. Hey, come on, babe. >> I've been trying everything. I water. >> Okay. But he is breathing. >> Yes, he's snoring. >> Okay. >> I put him on the floor because he keeps trying to get up to go to the bathroom. And >> it's his >> he can't he doesn't have enough strength. >> He won't talk to me anymore. He won't look at me. He won't open his eyes. >> Okay, just give me one second. Okay. >> And one of his eyes is really glossy. Oh, it went back to normal. Okay. [clears throat] Babe, you're going to the hospital. Okay. Are you still there? >> Yep. Hold on. You're not going to hear me. >> Okay. Babe, >> I'm smacking him as hard as I can and put my fist into his chest, but he's not responding. He's just moaning. Okay, I've got help on the way. Just keep an eye on his breathing and if anything changes with his breathing, tell me immediately. >> Yes, >> he's got a bowl. He's not responding. >> He's on the crack of the bed right there. She tried to set him up and he fell off the bed. First responders arrived at the scene and transported Steve to the Trinity emergency room. His condition was so critical that he was later airlifted to a level two trauma center in Bismar. Sadly, Steve never regained consciousness and died [music] on September 5th. A few hours later, officers returned to the 900 block of 12th Avenue Northwest to take a complaint from Ena's neighbor, Billy. He and Ena were having a dispute involving a truck. Billy, the no filter type, gave the police a little extra information. >> So, what's going on with the truck? >> They died last night. >> Okay. She said she's selling everything. I said, "No, you ain't. You ain't selling nothing. You ain't touching nothing out here." said, "You're going to sell sell everything." I said, "No, you ain't." I said, "Cuz me and Steve," I said, "All these tools are mine and that motor in that truck is mine. You're not selling it." And he did. He was poison. Go ahead. She probably done it cuz she was throwing all this stuff out. I found out a little while ago that he died. He's dead. >> Yeah, >> Steve's dead. >> Okay. When's the sun supposed to get here? >> He's not dead. I told you >> he's not >> He's dead. >> I just >> And he was poisoned. >> He's not dead yet. >> And he was poison. >> So when when's the sun supposed to get here? >> Huh? We don't know yet. Uh but he'll call us. Where does the sun live? Right. Or where did it where did Riley live? Right here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> The other day she throwed all his stuff out out the yard >> from his from his house. >> Yeah. And he come out and he was holding his head down and then we was supposed to go up to the airport and meet this guy cuz he's supposed to get quite a bit of money. >> Yeah. >> So we went up there, come back. We had to help him out of the car. Had to help him in the house. Well, uh, his old landlord Wes Wes from out radar base. >> He come and help me get him in there. >> Okay. Well, >> actually, actually, >> that truck belongs to Wes. >> Who's Wes? >> Wes that lives out the radar base. >> Yeah. >> And he'll be here in a little bit, too. >> So, if I run the bin on that truck, who's he going to come back to? >> Wes. >> Okay, good. Okay. Yeah. >> He He is >> I thought everybody knew. I'M SORRY. OH MY GOD. >> I guess the sun is is on his way here. >> Okay. Apparently the sun is on the way here. So the sun better. >> Yeah. Interviews with Steve's friends revealed that Ena had become aware that Steve intended to leave her once his inheritance came through. A friend named Teresa corroborated Billy's account that on the afternoon of September 3rd, Ena was throwing Steve's belongings out of the house, suggesting there may have been an argument or confrontation. The following morning, after officers had spoken with Billy, the police returned to Ena's residence to hear her side of the truck dispute. By that point, according to investigators, Ena had not been informed by hospital staff of Steve's medical condition while he was hospitalized or the cause of his death. Despite that, officers noted that she made statements that raised red flags. >> Hi, >> okay. What's going on? >> I don't know. We've been here. >> He keeps trying to take it Steve's truck. >> Where's the truck at? >> In the garage. >> And he's the one that nailed it all shut. Who is >> Billy? >> Billy is the one that nailed it shut. >> I want him to pick that, not me. >> Is this the paperwork on the thing or >> No, no, no. This is uh property >> that Steve was buying. >> Oh. >> After his inheritance got here. >> Oh, okay. I'm going to I think he left it to his son, but I had to Google where to go to get his inheritance switched over to the people he left it to. I don't know. I don't know. >> Okay. >> Who actually is the owner of this truck? >> Steve. Yeah, it's in his name. >> It's in his name. >> Yeah, the title's coming. Um, yeah, we were gonna get all his plans paid off, get both of our license, get some new cars. >> Okay. >> Go to Ireland, get married, stay in his family castle or whatever. That's what he wanted to do. >> Wow. >> And the day he was supposed to meet his lawyer at the airport. Apparently, I thought it was Heathro. and he said he's uh that was the last day I talked to him. Um the last thing he said was get a restraining room against West and the property and make sure you don't get penny that change it over and I was right about his friends cuz when I left a little while back like a year ago >> Mhm. I told him, "You got to go with me. Your friends are going to [ __ ] kill you. You got you got to leave them. I don't care if you're here, but get a real job and don't ever talk to them again cuz they will kill you." Apparently, he was poison. I'm finding out with a doctor said the compounds, they're similar to a >> Oh, >> I don't know. He ingested it smoking a cigarette, you know, because he was always pulling crap on his cigarettes and smoking it or somebody did it or but I honestly don't know. >> I didn't even know that happened until uh like I said, the doctor told me it looks like poisoning. >> I'm sorry. Sorry to hear all that. >> Yeah. And we were supposed to take a road trip. Stop at this place to prank McMahon. Prank. Well, >> them some money, too. >> So, this this truck it's registered to Stephen, right? >> Mhm. >> Who's this other guy that wants it? >> Billy. >> Billy. What does he Why does he >> Steve got it from the guy he buying the property? He was buying the property from. He gave it to him. It didn't run. He was rebuilding the engine and he's still in the process of rebuilding the engine >> and he sent a picture to his son and his son said he wants it. >> No, >> he's in the Army Nationals Guard in Texas right now. >> Okay. >> Well, I don't think they can I don't think they can just come up here and take it. So, if they come back, just call us and we'll deal with that. Okay. I'm sure you got a lot to deal with as far as all that stuff goes. trying to get this situated before he gets here, son. >> Okay. >> All right. >> And I don't know how to get a hold of a guy in London with inheritance. He should be here in town. I don't understand. So, >> yeah. >> Why he never showed up at the airport? >> Yeah. >> Trying to figure out why. >> A lot going on. >> Well, if he comes back, just give us a call. All right, take care. I was just getting ready to go downtown, find that place. >> Okay. Inheritance something rather. >> Yeah, it's probably a good idea to get get all that taken care of and then something on paper. So, >> for sure. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> Have a better day. After Steve's death, additional friends and family contacted the police with serious concerns that Ena had poisoned him with antifreeze, saying she made past comments about poisoning him. They also reported that Ena frequently referred to herself as Steve's common law wife and as such was entitled to half of his inheritance. Even with this information, investigators understood that the case against Ena was largely circumstantial and that any prosecution would require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. As investigators started putting the case together, the first major break came from the autopsy. It confirmed that Steve had lethal levels of ethylene glycol in his system, making poisoning the clear cause of death. A search of the couple's home then turned up several containers holding a green liquid believed to be antifreeze, including a capless Windex bottle, a glass cos light bottle, and a plastic mug. Even with that, detectives still didn't have direct proof that Ena was the one who actually added the poison. With that in mind, detectives brought Ena in for questioning. They wanted to hear her side of the story, see how it lined up with the medical findings, witness statements, and forensic evidence, and get a sense of whether she was being honest or trying to hide something that could support criminal charges. >> So, why don't we talk about the weekend that he ended up um becoming sick and passing? What happened that weekend? What was he doing? That was Labor Day weekend. Uh, mostly drinking beer. Okay. The night before he wanted to get a good night's sleep, but uh uh >> he was drink. >> Hang on. He was drinking beer. Which night? Or was that the whole weekend? >> That's pretty much the whole weekend. >> Okay. He got a case of beer from Wes and some food from uh [snorts] the Max food bank that Wes brought him and a case of beer. Okay. For his birthday. And then Link brought him a case of beer and uh firewall for his birthday. >> When it was his birthday, >> but nobody showed up on the day the week of his birthday. >> Okay. >> So, they started showing up when they thought the lawyer was going to show up. [laughter] Okay. >> Like like Lope. Okay. So, what happens at 2:00? >> Uh, everybody's pretty much there. >> When you say everybody, >> Billy, >> Conrad, Link. >> Okay. >> And Wes and they're at your apartment. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Waiting for 2:00. >> Okay. And what happens then? >> Um, I finished helping him get dressed. I put him a belt on and he got into Wes's car. >> Okay. >> And they stopped at the gas station at Cynics for some iced tea. >> This is at 2:00 p.m. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Cuz [clears throat] that's when he started getting really sick and really wobbly and I kept begging him to go to the hospital, but Wes, I guess, talked Steve out of going to the hospital, and it was just heat stroke. So, what do you think is wrong with Steve at this point? Like, why why what do you think is wrong with Steve? Why is he sick? >> I thought it I thought they were right. It was heat stroke >> cuz it was uh cuz he wasn't puking yet. And it was like finally kind of sleeping in and out. He'd sleep for a little bit and then he'd wake up, drink some water, go pee, sleep on the couch, uh wake up. >> Okay. Was he complaining that he wasn't feeling well? >> No, >> he didn't say anything about >> No, he just uh like the last time he had to Oh, wasn't he stroke? I actually called the ambulance last time. It was this coherent. Okay. >> How long ago was that? >> Oh, it was that I want to say 6 months, but it could have been longer. Um, but he accidentally grabbed on to a cup. Uh, it was when he was working on Jim's I think Jim's car truck car. I ended up having to call the ambulance. He wouldn't let me, but I called it anyways. And he kind of like finally confessed he accidentally drank some kind of fluid. And >> that was about 6 months ago, you said? >> Uh, it could have been longer. Okay. >> Could have been a year ago. Everything runs with my brain injury. Everything kind of smooshes and you know. >> Did he say what he might have accidentally drank? >> Uh I don't know. I don't remember. It has it had to be on the on the medical records. >> Okay. Uh cuz cuz the doctor came to me and said, "Did you know he drank this by accident?" I was like, >> I had no clue. >> The doctor say what they thought he would have thought what they thought he had drank. >> Not back then. >> No. Okay. Okay. >> Okay. >> I just need to get some water. terrible tickle. >> Okay. >> I don't know what else to say to help. [sighs] She was just saying that um >> uh about 6 months maybe a year ago there was a prior um ambulance call up there uh where >> um it was maybe heat stroke but um Steve said that he thinks he might have accidentally drank some kind of fluid from the garage >> um while working on a car. >> What happened with that ambulance call? Uh >> cuz they didn't know if he drank fluid >> back then. I actually had Wes's vehicle to follow him to the hospital. So, >> but did they find that he had drank any fluid? >> Yeah. >> Okay. [snorts] What did they say? What did he What was >> Doctor didn't tell me what kind of fluid it was. I was like, um >> Steve didn't tell you. >> No. So, >> how would he accidentally drink fluid for >> I don't know. I don't know. That's what I said. >> What was he acting like when that happened? >> He was stumbling around acting like he had heat stroke type thing. >> Okay. Are you familiar with heat stroke? Have you seen people have heat stroke before? >> Uh, since I moved here. Yeah. >> Okay. >> A couple times, but not really. >> Okay. So, I mean, I guess I'm just wondering. I mean, if somebody were to say to me they were these are the signs of heat stroke, I wouldn't know. I have not experienced anybody with heat stroke. So, I'm just wondering how you would know. Okay. >> Uh, how do you know all that control? >> Uh, I Googled it. >> Okay. When did you Google that? >> The first time you went I end up calling ambulance. >> So, like a 6 months to a year ago. >> Yeah. It'll mimic uh poisoning. I read this time. I read >> uh >> What do you mean this time? >> Cuz the doctor said it it looked like he drank anifreeze or had anifreeze in his system. So I Googled it and it had the same symptoms as heat stroke. >> Okay. When did you Google that? >> Uh the day he was in the hospital. day he went. >> Okay. >> And the day when I finally got there and found out that >> who told you something? >> Who told you? >> The hot the doctor. >> The what doctor? >> I don't uh same doctor that treated me my bug bites. Uh >> what hospital? Trinity. >> The ER doctor or >> Yeah. >> He said it was uh just ingrown hairs and a headache. >> Okay. What this doctor's name? So if he treated you and Steve, were you you don't know his name? >> No. >> When did he tell my paperwork at home? >> Okay. >> Um my paperwork for my uh ingrown hairs and little headache. >> Okay. So this doctor, what does he say? How does he know that there's something that >> Cuz apparently he did a blood test by the time I got there. It took me about 2 hours to walk there, but I got picked up [snorts] almost I was almost there to the hospital. >> Who picked you up? >> A friend of Steve, an older lady that he knew. >> What was her name? Lindsay Laura stuff like that. how she recognized me from uh uh [snorts] you know she rode there uh her bike there and Steve introduced us uh >> rode her bike where >> to our place. >> Okay. So she had come to your partner before. >> Yeah. >> And you met her there and where did she see you this day? on the road >> on Broadway. I was walking on Broadway. I was just made it to >> uh Billy's and Lynn's. >> Okay. [snorts] What were you going to do with Billy and Lyn? >> Uh I begged them to take me to the hospital. >> Okay. >> From there, but uh they were busy, they said. Okay. Okay. >> So, I was like, "Okay, well, >> this lady just this lady just happened to see you." >> Uh, yeah. She's driving by. >> Okay. >> And picked me up cuz he was at home at for the 8:00 p.m. flight laying on the couch sick. Uh, Wes was there with you guys and it was just Wes at that point? >> Yes. Okay. So after he kicked Wes out, I started rapping. That's when Steve stripped down naked pretty much half naked and start crawling on his hands and feet to the bed. I was like, "Babe, just let me call the hospital. He's like, "No, I just need some sleep." But I ain't drunk. I ain't drunk. >> Was he drinking? >> Yeah, the beer all day. >> How much How much do you think you had to drink? >> Almost a whole case. >> From what time to >> There was three beers left. I looked in the case. >> And when you say a case, you mean a 24 pack? >> Yep. >> Of what? >> Cooler light. >> Regular size cans. >> Yeah. 12 oz. So, he drank almost a whole case of beer. From what time to what time? >> I have no clue. >> You don't know when he started drinking? >> Pretty much when he got out of bed. Do you remember what time that was? I honestly don't know. >> Okay. >> It was early early. The birds were chirping and Okay. >> What time? >> Barely daylight. >> What time he stopped drinking? >> Right before he went to take a shower to meet up with his lawyer at with Wes and me at two. too. >> So he he consumed almost a case of beer in >> Oh, he can drink more than that. I've seen him drink a couple cases, >> but on that day >> Yeah, it was a case of beer >> from probably 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. So >> 5 to 6 hours. Does that sound right? >> Probably. Okay. Do you drink anything else? Uh, just the glass of water that I brought him and his tea. I made iced tea cuz he begged for iced tea. That's pretty much it. Glass of tea and a glass of ice water. He came in a couple times to cool off in front of the airport. In the front of the air conditioner >> while I was working on the truck with uh Link, I think. >> Yeah. >> So, you made iced tea? >> Yeah. Detectives begin to press Ena on some of her earlier statements, testing her responses as inconsistencies start to pile up. So when you find out this is supposedly poisoning now, >> what are your first thoughts? >> Uh, tell me that again. You said the doctor told you it was maybe [clears throat] po he was maybe poisoned. Yeah. >> What is the first things that come to your mind when you hear that? >> Uh this is not what I'm hearing. I don't know. Uh this can't be real. Uh how the hell would that happen? >> Okay. >> Pretty much those words were running through my head and that's basically what came out of my mouth. Can you tell me that one more time, doctor? >> Okay. And then what do you think of anyone in particular? >> Uh it's when my his friend the Laura uh says it's okay. We'll find out more when >> So she was there when the doctor said it. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> She heard the doctor say that. >> Yeah. You you don't know a lawyer's last name or anything? >> No. Okay. >> Do you know where she lives? >> No. >> I didn't know her that well. Just the one time she rode her bike and she's overheating and she needed a place to cool down. >> Okay. So, after the doctor says this, then do you are are you thinking like eventually like who could have done this? Who I mean who would have done that to Steve? That's what I was saying. I was like, "This can't be real." I mean, >> okay. [clears throat] But I know you had said to me you thought Wes or Billy would do it. >> Yeah. >> Why would you think that? >> Nasty people. >> Okay. But what would they gain from Steve dying? >> Wes, he'd pretty much lose everything. So, no. I could see him doing something sexual towards him. >> Okay. >> But not dragging him. >> Okay. >> Billy or Conrad? Yes. What would they gain? >> Uh, seeing Steve not getting his inheritance, >> stealing his truck, cuz Billy's pretty much every time he's him and Lynn put Steve in jail, they actually stole stuff out of his truck or his vehicle that Okay. Uh, Steve's owned. Uh just before we moved into the apartment, Steve had a Toyota 4Erunner. >> Uh all that was wrong with it was the tires were flat. >> Okay. >> And every single part on that Toyota was gone. >> Okay. >> The engine, it was up on blocks behind the town houses out at the old raider base. Uh the engine was missing. underneath was missing, you know. I mean, it was stripped and he didn't even give Steve a week to come get it. Okay. >> I mean, it wasn't even a couple days. We were in the apartment. He went out there to go get it. And uh >> So, what would they get? Getting getting the truck. That's all they would get. >> And the fact that then Billy I mean Steve >> I don't I don't know. I don't know how Billy thinks. He's messed up in the head. They're nasty people. I'm telling you. But that's the only >> I'm I'm not doubting that they're nasty. I'm just saying I'm just trying to wrap my head around who >> then I don't see him really doing that. I could see Lynn more and she wasn't even there. >> Okay. >> She's more of the I'll poison you type person, you know. >> Okay. >> Than Billy. Um, Billy will just wait until you go to sleep and then steal >> from you, right? >> Type person. >> Okay. >> So, as far as you and Steve, >> that's why I'm thinking maybe Steve did it to himself because he couldn't face uh Wes, his sons, you know, that the inheritance wasn't real. It was a hoax. He finally realized it was >> okay. a joke on him or you know it wasn't real. >> Do you think the money is real? >> Uh I hope for Steve's sake it was but it was too fishy for me and yeah it's funky town kind of like west in the property. He's too weird. [cough and clears throat] >> Did Steve ever say when he got the money that he was going to leave? He wasn't going to go anywhere? He was going to leave you? He was going to give you some money and be done? Anything like that? >> He was off and on. Yeah. When we got into fights. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Was he going to make sure you got money? >> No. >> Okay. >> Cuz I kept telling him I don't want it. >> Okay. other than the money you bled for me from making me walk in 55 below. Uh that's what I made him promise me give back [clears throat] to me when I bailed him out of jail. >> Okay. >> I didn't even want that no more when we got into fights. I was like, "Nope, I don't want it." >> But you said you wanted a car. >> Yeah. >> So, were you hoping that he'd at least give you some money for a vehicle? >> No. >> Okay. No, I could put myself I I can He knows I can survive without him. >> Okay. >> I have survived without him while he was in jail. >> Okay. >> I have scraped up money when he left me for uh the the went to Devil's Lake with that lady. >> Yep. >> I have put my rent back together. >> Okay. >> I have paid my power bill back together. >> Did he go live with her there and all? Like how long was he gone there? uh before she turned him in to jail. I want to say two or 3 months, maybe two. >> Oh, so several months. Okay. So, he just came back here before summer >> cuz you still Okay. So, that was fairly recent that he was with this lady. >> Okay. >> Um [sighs] I guess I don't know. >> Okay. My brain injury makes everything run into the whole 13 years is like me could have happened yesterday. I could have got off the bus in my memory and walk into the motel. So, I don't know. By this point in the interview, detectives had let Ena talk. They'd gathered her statements, logged the details, and quietly compared them against what they already knew. The timelines, they didn't match. The explanations shifted. The inconsistencies were impossible to ignore. That's when the interview's tone changed. >> So, I just have a lot of concerns here. Okay. And I'm just going to be honest with you. You told the paramedics when they were there that morning or afternoon that he had been drinking till 5:00 in the morning, that he had been consum consuming alcohol. That's on body cam. >> Okay. You said he was drinking all day the day before and that he drank his last drink at 5:00 a.m. >> Okay. Okay. And now you're telling me that's not what you say on this video. Okay. >> I want to see this video. Okay. >> Well, I I'm not going to show you the body cam. I'm just telling you that that's what's on there. >> There's reports that Wes came to the house that morning and you said that Steve was at the walk-in clinic. >> He wasn't at the clinic. >> Steve didn't want to see Wes anymore. >> Okay. But Steve wasn't at the walking clinic. >> He was at the hospital. >> He wasn't at the hospital. He wasn't anywhere yet because that's been verified. He wasn't when when Wes was there. Okay. >> We have >> He just left with the ambulance when Wes showed up there. >> That's not what's been reported to us. Wes was there prior to >> Yeah. The time stamps prove that. >> I want a lawyer. >> Okay, [laughter] that's fine. Um >> am I being arrested? >> Nope, you're not being arrested. We're just talking. So, but if you want to if you want a lawyer, we can stop talking right now. That's fine. Um, >> but I'm telling you the god honest truth. >> I don't know what happened. I WASN'T THERE. I WISH I WAS THERE. I WISH I WAS WITH HIM EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY THAT DAY. I WISH I WATCHED EVERY SINGLE BUT I'M NOT HIS GODDAMN MOM. >> You asked for a lawyer, Ena, so we're just going to end this now. Okay, we're not going to talk anymore. All right. >> YOU GUYS ARE SO UNBELIEVABLE. [ __ ] you. >> This way. Right here. >> The interrogation didn't go the way Ena hoped. In the weeks that followed, police believed they had enough to establish probable cause for an arrest. Investigators said Ena had both access and opportunity with evidence suggesting the poison could have been added to drinks prepared at the home where containers of suspected antifreeze were later found. They also pointed to a clear motive tied to money and a deteriorating relationship along with her resistance to getting Steve medical help and multiple inconsistent statements including mentions of antifreeze before any test results were known. Police ultimately obtained an arrest warrant charging Ena Canoyer with the murder of Steven Edward Riley. That warrant was served on October 30th, 2023. >> Please lock up my house. >> Yeah, we'll lock up the house for you. >> I'll give you the key. >> We'll lock it. >> We'll lock a house up for you. Is there anything you need? >> Yes. >> Why me? >> Right. Okay. >> Never been arrested before like this. >> I've never done anything. I haven't done anything. >> We'll let you let you smoke a cigarette. >> Investigators ultimately concluded that Ena Canoyer poisoned Steve on the very day he believed his life was about to change. According [music] to police, she was certain that after his death, she would be entitled to a share of his inheritance based on what she believed was a common law marriage. But the story took a grim turn. Investigators later said they do not believe the $30 million inheritance ever existed at all. Police determined it was an email scam. The person who convinced Steve that a massive windfall was coming has never been identified. After her arrest, Ena was booked into the Minot County Jail and held in custody. At her arraignment, she was charged with felony murder with extreme indifference. She pleaded not guilty and was initially denied bond. However, the case never made it to trial. Instead, Ena agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter. That deal spared her the risk of a possible life sentence while allowing the state to avoid the uncertainty of trial. At sentencing, the judge imposed a 50-year sentence with 25 years to serve [music] and the remaining 25 suspended. In real terms, that means Ena will spend 25 years in prison. The suspended portion would only come into play if she violates the conditions of her release. Ena Kenoyer is currently incarcerated at the Dakota Women's Correctional Facility and Rehabilitation Center. Her projected release date is January 27th, 2045. Hey Atlas crew, thanks so much for watching. Cases like this leave you with a lot to think about. If that inheritance had never been dangled in front of Steve, would any of this have happened at all? Was this about greed, desperation, or something deeper that was already there? Let us know what you think in the comments. Thanks again, and we'll see you next time. >> [music] [music]