A man charged with killing his wife appeared on the TV show ‘Family Feud’ three years ago and joked with the host, Steve Harvey, that somebody’s ‘biggest wedding mistake’ was likely getting married at all.
On Monday, Illinois’ Quincy Police Department announced in a press release that the 39-year-old is facing two counts of first degree murder and home invasion in connection with the murder of Rebecca Bliefnick, 41, who was found shot to death in her home on February 23. EW reported.
Bliefnick and his family members — not including his wife — appeared on the popular game show in 2020, per the Kansas City Star.
During the episode, one of the questions posed by host Steve Harvey was ‘What’s the biggest mistake you made at your wedding?’ He said: ‘Honey, I love you, but,’ Bliefnick prefaced before answering, said ‘I do.’
As the audience gasped at his response, Bliefnick remarked, ‘Not my mistake! I love my wife.’ Then, he jokingly added, ‘I’m going to get in trouble for that, aren’t I?’
‘It’s going to be a lot of hell to pay at your house,’ replied Harvey. ‘Now the only shot this has of being maybe OK at the watch party, is if it’s on the board, and it’s going to need to be number two or three.’
‘Because if it’s number seven and only two people said it that’s going to put you in the butt hole category,’ Harvey added. But Bliefnick’s guess was good, as regretting marriage was the second most common response to the question.
That episode of Family Feud was recorded in the fall of 2019 but aired in the spring of 2020, according to ABC.
Timothy Bliefnick appeared in court on Tuesday March 14, having been accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife, who was also mother to his three children.
Rebecca Bliefnick, 41, was found dead in her home by a family member on February 23 after they became concerned that she had not collected her three children from their school in Quincy, Illinois.
‘Officers arrived at Timothy’s home on Monday morning, two weeks after they searched the same property on Hampshire Street.
He appeared at the Adams County Courthouse on Tuesday charged with killing his wife and home invasion but did not enter a plea.
It was set that he would remain in custody until his next hearing.
The house is just a mile away from Rebecca’s home on Kentucky Road, where she lived with their three sons before she was shot dead.
Prosecutors branded her death an ‘act of domestic violence’. Rebecca, a nurse, had previously filed a restraining order against Tim and his father before she was then hit with a restraining order by her husband.
Prosecutors say that the crime was not a random act. Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Jones said: ‘This is an act of domestic violence. Every victim needs to be seen, heard, and believed.
‘While our thoughts and prayers are with Rebecca Bliefnick’s family and her children, our focus and efforts remain on bringing her murderer to justice.’
He reportedly attended her wake but skipped her funeral service because he did not want to be a distraction.
But his lawyer is insisting that Rebecca’s estranged husband is innocent, telling Fox News Digital that she was preparing a series of court filings to ‘protect his interests and preserve his constitutional rights’.
His attorney went on to describe Bliefnick as ‘your standard, all-American, Midwestern dad,’ noting, ‘He was active in the community. He was a youth football coach. He was actively involved in his church here. A lot of people knew him. It’s very surprising that this is where the family is at right now.’
Bliefnick was stopped by officers outside of the property, and taken to a relative’s house following the conversation with officers, according to Muddy River News.
A spokesman for Rebecca’s family said of the arrest: ‘While we remain heartbroken, we are thankful to the Quincy Police Department and all who have worked tirelessly in service of justice for Becky.
‘While the arrest provides a step towards closure, this journey is far from over and the investigation continues. We are thankful for your continued respect for our privacy as we navigate this next painful chapter.
‘Our highest priority remains protecting and loving Becky’s sons who were the lights of her life. As we continue mourning, we will love and care for them in the ways we know she would want.
‘We appreciate any support of our GoFundMe which was created to support her boys’ future, offset family expenses related to Becky’s death and to establish a scholarship fund in Becky’s name.
‘The support for our family means so much and truly speaks volumes about Becky’s impact on the world.’
Rebecca and Tim are understood to have married in 2009, but at the time of her death were going through divorce proceedings though nothing was finalized.
The couple share three sons together, but were living separately at the time of her death, with court records showing their split was filed in February 2021.
