Three years ago, Tim Bliefnick of Quincy, Illinois, was promoting his appearance on “Family Feud” on KHQA, Quincy’s local ABC affiliate. Now Bliefnick is back in the headlines for KHQA. However, this time, he has been charged with first degree murder for the death of his ex-wife, Rebecca Bliefnick.
Rebecca, 41, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds at her Quincy home on February 23 after a family member became concerned that she had not picked up her three children from school. KHQA reports.
On Monday, Tim, 39, was arrested and charged with trespassing and two counts of first-degree murder. He faces 45 years to life in connection with the murder charge and 31 years to life in connection with the trespassing charge.
“This was not a random act of violence,” Josh Jones, lead trial attorney for the Adams County State’s Attorney, told reporters Monday, via People. “However, it is equally important to recognize the event for what it is: an act of domestic violence.”
In a Facebook post On Monday, the Quincy Police Department said Bliefnick had been taken into custody without incident and taken to the Adams County Jail.
The arrest came nearly two weeks after police searched Tim’s home and car.
“Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that the search warrant was issued and executed,” Bliefnick’s attorney, Casey Schnack, said in a statement at the time, according to muddy river news. “My only surprise is that she took so long to do it. It is just as important that QPD conduct an investigation as (sic) to rule Tim out as a suspect so that investigative efforts can be spent elsewhere.”
After Bliefnick was taken into custody, Rebecca’s family issued a statement thanking the police. “While today’s arrest provides a step toward closure, this journey is far from over and the investigation continues,” her statement read, according to The Kansas City Star.
A Rebecca’s obituary claims she was a nurse working in vascular access at Quincy’s Blessing Hospital. She worked at other medical centers in the area during the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2020 she earned a Daisy Award nomination for her nursing work.
But Rebecca’s “deepest devotion was to her family,” the obituary says.
The online memorial also includes a quote from Rebecca: “If the past year has reinforced any of my beliefs, it’s the importance and value of family, and I clearly have the best.”
