Former 'Family Feud' contestant who fatally shot wife is sentenced to life in prison

QUINCY, Ill. (TCD) -- A man who broke into his wife’s home and fatally shot her earlier this year was sentenced to multiple life terms in prison.

Adams County court records show on Aug. 11, Timothy Bliefnick received one life sentence each for two counts of murder and one count of home invasion causing injury for the death of his wife.

Rebecca Bliefnick was found dead in her home on Kentucky Road Feb. 23, and about two weeks later, Quincy Police arrested Timothy Bliefnick following an extensive investigation. He quickly went to trial and was convicted May 31.

According to WGEM-TV, following the jury’s decision, Rebecca Bliefnick’s sister Sarah Reilly said, "We should not be living in a world where a crime like this is possible. My parents were robbed of their daughter, and as a parent myself I cannot imagine a greater torture."

At his sentencing hearing, WGEM reports Judge Robert Adrian told Bliefnick, "Mr. Bliefnick, you researched this murder, you planned this murder, you practiced this murder, you broke into her house and you shot her. Some of those shots were fired while she was laying on the ground and you did all of that while your children were upstairs at your house, laying snug in their beds."

Rebecca Bliefnick was shot 14 times, according to Muddy River News.

Her mother gave an impact statement and spoke about her grandchildren. She said, "You replaced their mother’s love with emotional scars and trauma."

Rebecca and Timothy Bliefnick were in the middle of divorce proceedings when she was killed, and they were scheduled to appear in court only a few days later.

Timothy Bliefnick appeared on "Family Feud" in 2020. Deadline reports Steve Harvey asked Bliefnick during the game show, "What’s the biggest mistake you made at your wedding?"

He responded, "Honey, I love you. But I said, 'I do.'"

He then followed up with, "Not my mistake. I love my wife. I’m going to get in trouble for that, aren’t I?"

MORE:

• State of Illinois vs. Timothy Bliefnick
• 'You replaced their mother’s love with emotional scars': Timothy Bliefnick sentenced to life in prison - WGEM
• Jury finds Bliefnick guilty on all counts, prosecutors seek life sentence, 5/31/2023 - WGEM
• ‘Your boys will realize that their father did not love them’ - Muddy River News
• 'Family Feud' Contestant Who Joked About His Marriage Sentenced For Wife’s Murder - Deadline
• Former 'Family Feud' contestant accused of killing estranged wife, 3/14/2023 - TCD