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'Family Feud' Contestant Accused Of Killing Wife Wants To Hire Private Investigators To Probe ‘Prowler’ Theory
“The defense wants to hire private investigators to look into evidence that someone other than Tim committed this crime,” Timothy Bliefnick’s defense lawyer, Casey Schnack, said.
An Illinois man and former game show contestant accused of killing his wife has asked the court to pay for private investigators to probe the possibility that a “prowler” killed his spouse.
Timothy Bliefnick, 39, who is standing trial in the murder of his wife, Becky Bliefnick, has been left destitute and “penniless,” according to his lawyers, as pre-trial proceedings get underway. Timothy, who has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the case, was since declared indigent by a trial judge, Law&Crime reported, citing a sworn court affidavit.
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The ruling, which found Timothy is “impoverished” and has “no access to assets due to probate proceedings,” paved the way for his legal team’s formal court request asking for public funds to explore the defense’s theory that an entirely separate perpetrator is to blame for his wife’s slaying.
Becky was found fatally shot inside her Quincy home on Feb. 23, court records cited by KHQA-TV show. She’d sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities made the discovery after the medical professional failed to pick her children up from school. Timothy was arrested and indicted the following month in connection with his wife’s home invasion slaying.
Defense attorney Casey Schnack asked for and was granted between $5,000 to $10,000 in funds to hire one or more private investigators to pursue the possibility that a “prowler” murdered Becky.
“The defense wants to hire private investigators to look into evidence that someone other than Tim committed this crime,” Schnack said.
Timothy was estranged from his wife at the time of her murder. The couple, who weren’t living at the same address, had been going through divorce proceedings prior to Becky’s death.
Becky’s family has since successfully blocked her estranged husband from accessing potential funds to cover legal expenses through the late woman’s estate, which they’re executors of, in an open probate case, Law&Crime reported.
“We have every reason to believe it was a prowler in the area and not Tim,” Schnack told WGEM outside court. “So we do have some identification of this individual but we need someone to look into it who has the skills.”
In 2020, Timothy appeared alongside his family on the long-running television gameshow “Family Feud.”
During the studio broadcast, host Steve Harvey quizzed him about mistakes one makes on their wedding day.
“Honey, I love you, but: Said 'I do,'” Timothy Bliefnick answered.
“Not my mistake,” he added. “I love my wife.”
He later openly stated, “I’m gonna get in trouble for that, aren’t I?”
Prior to her death, Becky had worked as a nurse, a career her family described as “her true calling”
“Becky always envisioned herself working hands-on in the medical profession ... where she was able to provide care and comfort to people on a daily basis,” her family said in a post on GoFundMe. “Moving forward, our whole family will lovingly support and care for the boys for the rest of their lives in the ways we know Becky would want.”
The online fundraiser had raised nearly $100,000 as of April 14. The family indicated that the funds would cover funeral expenses and help support Becky’s sons. The family added that they intended to also establish a scholarship in Becky’s name.
“There are no words to adequately capture our devastation in the wake of Becky’s death,” posted Sarah Reilly, Becky sister. “A brutal, selfish act forever changed our lives, leaving an incredibly raw and deep void in our family and in our hearts, most especially for her beautiful sons. As the investigation continues, we remain thankful to the Quincy Police Department and state’s attorneys who have all worked tirelessly in pursuit of truth and justice for Becky.”
Timothy is being held at an Adams County detention center, according to online jail records previously obtained by Oxygen.com.
