Viswa Vanapalli
NBC’s ‘Dateline: Venom’ and Hulu’s ‘How I Caught My Killer: There Might Be a Target on Your Back’ brings viewers the story behind the brutal murder of Ben Renick. In June 2017, the businessman was found dead at his snake breeding facility by his wife, Lynlee Renick. Ben’s brother, Sam, was one of the first persons she called, but what he didn’t know at the time was that Lynlee is Ben’s killer. In the end, the authorities learned of an evil plot to murder Ben, leaving Sam devastated in the aftermath.
Who is Sam Renick?
Sam and Ben Renick were born to Frank James and Charlene Marie Renick. They lived on a farm near New Florence, Missouri, for most of their lives. Frank owned a pet care store and provided a stable upbringing for the family at the time. However, in 2012, he was arrested on mail fraud charges, with the authorities alleging he lied to and scammed his investors. In June of the same year, the patriarch died of a gunshot wound to the chest, and the death was ruled a suicide — he wanted to ensure his sons didn’t get dragged into the matter or struggle financially as the years passed by.
Soon after, Ben began his reptile breeding business that took off. He and Sam continued to live nearby on the family property, yet they didn’t have a close relationship. Despite this, they had a love for one another, which is why Lynlee called him upon finding Ben dead at his facility in New Florence on the evening of June 8, 2017. After checking if he was alive, both Lynlee and Sam also called 911 separately to report the murder. But the investigation didn’t get very far until Lynlee was arrested in January 2020. along with her ex-boyfriend, Michael Humphrey. The authorities learned from another ex-boyfriend of Lynlee that she was involved with the murder.
Initially, Lynlee had tried to misdirect the authorities by claiming that Sam was responsible for Ben’s murder. During her trial in 2021, she admitted to lying to the police over six times and said it was an attempt to steer them clear from the actual murderers. While in court, she made a tearful apology to Sam, who sat in the gallery. He later said in court, “Lynlee covered up her actions for years, and she told countless lies to protect herself and to deceive others about her involvement in this case. Lynlee Renick is a murderer, and she will always be a murderer.”
Sam Renick is Moving Forward in Life Today
Sam Renick appreciated the judge’s work in this case and said many were hurt in the aftermath of the murder. He added, “There are a lot of victims in this case. The web of devastation travels far. Thank you for this opportunity, and may Benjamin Renick rest in peace.” According to his own narrative in the Hulu original episode, Sam struggled with depression as well as suicidal thoughts, but he’s trying his best to move on, all the while keeping Ben alive in his heart. From what we can tell, he currently lives in Wentzville, Missouri, close to his seemingly estranged wife, Alexandria, and their children. He works as a commodities trader for a company that produces food and had previously worked as a production supervisor in the same industry.
Read More: Where Are Lynlee Renick’s Kids Now?
