Background: News video captures the scene on September 16 in Issaquah, Washington, where Kimberly Feyhl is accused of killing her boyfriend (KING). Inset: Kimberly Feyhl appears in court on Tuesday (KING).
A Washington state woman pleaded not guilty after being arrested for allegedly killing her boyfriend with an ax then setting their home on fire.
Kimberly Feyhl, 49, is facing charges of first-degree murder with an added deadly weapon enhancement and first-degree arson and is being held on a $3 million bail. The local NBC station, KING, attended the court session on Tuesday for Feyhl’s arraignment, after her arrest on September 16. Firefighters responded to an emergency call at an Issaquah, Washington apartment complex before 8 a.m. that morning, as stated in court records reviewed by Law&Crime. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased man inside while Feyhl was found outside, sitting near a playground.
Police questioned Feyhl, who allegedly admitted to setting the fire and killing the man, who was her roommate and an occasional boyfriend.
As per the probable cause statement, investigators inquired about the day’s events from Feyhl. She admitted, “I killed my roommate,” identifying him as Richard Kenneth Schnepf, 43, with the medical examiner confirming his identity. Feyhl disclosed that although she and Schnepf were roommates, they had an on-and-off romantic relationship over the years.
Feyhl informed authorities that “God told her to” kill Schnepf using an ax, explaining that she believed he intended to murder her. Elaborating further, she described Schnepf as a “demon,” and claimed that God revealed this to her. Feyhl also mentioned hearing a “voice” instructing her to kill Schnepf.
On the evening of September 15, Feyhl told police she waited for Schnepf to enter her room “to kill her,” but he did not. She then went to his room after grabbing an ax and found him sleeping on his bed, on top of the covers. While he slept, Feyhl allegedly hit him in the head with the ax “multiple times.”
Believing Schnepf was still alive, Feyhl reportedly poured rubbing alcohol over him and ignited it with a Bic lighter. Investigators found the alcohol bottle on the bed near Schnepf’s body; the ax, with “blood and hair on the blade,” was discovered under the mattress. Feyhl had a Bic lighter with her when authorities apprehended her.
Police also observed blood spatter on several walls in the room where Schnepf’s body was found.
Feyhl was charged with first-degree murder with a deadly weapon enhancement and first-degree arson. She is currently being held in King County Jail on $3 million bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 9.
