In a tragic turn of events, the estranged wife of a Delta Airlines pilot was convicted of second-degree murder after a deadly altercation with her cousin-turned-partner. During a late-night episode fueled by alcohol, she confessed to police that she had made a grave mistake before they discovered her boyfriend’s lifeless body.
On Tuesday, Jennifer Lynn Lieber received a sentence of 25 and a half years in prison following her conviction for the fatal shooting of David J. Nanovic at her Minnesota mansion, valued at $1.7 million.
Court documents reviewed by The Post reveal that on March 4, 2024, Lieber, then 45, had been consuming beer and blackberry brandy while watching television with Nanovic and his 10-year-old son. She reportedly became agitated, retrieved a handgun, and began acting erratically.
Brandishing the weapon, Lieber threatened to harm herself and others, alarming Nanovic, his child, and her own children, who became increasingly worried about her unstable behavior.
Lieber had previously invited Nanovic, her cousin, to reside in her pool house with his son amid her marital separation. During this time, the pair developed a romantic relationship, as detailed in court filings.
According to police reports, Nanovic’s son recounted that during the altercation, Lieber hurled racial insults and other abusive remarks at her partner, describing the home environment as akin to “living in hell.”
Nanovic and his son managed to escape the home, fleeing to the pool house where they were staying.
At one point, Lieber’s biological children went to the detached structure, where they asked Nanovic to check on the dogs inside the home.
The father-son duo attempted to return to the house but were met by Lieber, who again threatened them before firing a shot, missing everyone.
During a second attempt to check on the home, the 45-year-old father went inside but never returned to his son.
Lieber’s sons called her soon-to-be-ex husband, Stuart Lieber, saying their mother “was not acting normal.”
Stuart Lieber, a pilot for Delta, called 911, requesting a wellness check by police.
Police arrived to find Lieber outside her home, sobbing and with her hands in the air, claiming she “really f–cked up.”
Officers entered the home and found Nanovic lying unresponsive at the bottom of the basement stairs.
He was covered in blood with a handgun next to him.
Lieber told police that she had kicked the gun out of Nanovic’ hands during a confrontation and the weapon went off, striking Nanovic.
“I loved him,” she said.
Officials ruled Nanovic died from a gunshot wound to the forehead, fired at close range.
She was convicted of second-degree murder on Jan. 30 following a two-week trial.
“The successful prosecution of this case reflects the commitment of our investigators and our partnership with the Scott County Attorney’s Office to seek justice for victims of violent crime,” Sheriff Luke Hennen said in a statement obtained by the Prior Lake News Compass. “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of David Nanovic as they continue to navigate this loss.”
“This was a tragic and preventable act of violence,” Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar added. “We are grateful for the work of law enforcement and the jury in holding the defendant accountable. While today’s sentencing cannot undo the harm caused, we hope it brings some measure of justice to the victim’s family.”
Lieber will serve over 16 years in prison before serving the remainder of her sentence on supervised release.
She will be credited with 232 days of time served.
