A former Family Feud contestant has been found guilty of murdering his estranged wife.
Timothy Bliefnick was charged with breaking into the home of Rebecca Bliefnick and shooting her multiple times in February. The 41 year old's father found her dead on the bathroom floor on February 23 after she failed to turn up to pick up her children from school in Quincy, a small city in western Illinois.
The former couple were in the process of divorcing at the time and living apart. According to additional court papers filed in Adams County, Rebecca had also filed for an order of protection from her husband in 2021.
And after hearing closing arguments and deliberating for several hours on Wednesday, Timothy was convicted of first-degree murder and home invasion after a nearly week-long trial in Illinois, Chicago.
During the trial, the victim's sister Sarah Reilly testified that Becky was worried that 40 year old Timothy would hurt her as they fought over custody of their three children.
Taking the stand, Sarah said that Becky texted her in 2021, writing: "If something ever happens to me, make sure the No. 1 person of interest is Tim."
Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Sarah said: "The judicial process cannot bring her back, nor can it heal our wounds, but we are relieved that the verdict delivers justice, and we are thankful for all who made it a reality."
This comes after Timothy joked in an episode of Family Feud in 2019 that he regretted getting married to Rebecca.
When host Steve Harvey asked him: "What's your biggest mistake you made at your wedding?"
Bliefnick replied: "Said I do." He added: "Not my mistake, not my mistake − I love my wife. I'm gonna get in trouble for that, aren't I?"
Timothy is due to be sentenced in August. He faces life in prison.
