Ruled insanity: Wife who killed serpentarium owner not guilty of murder

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Dean Ripa, the former owner of the Cape Fear Serpentarium, was killed by his wife in May 2017.

On Friday, Regina Ripa was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.

District Attorney Ben David says a state appointed doctor diagnosed her as insane and the court agreed.

The ruling means she is indefinitely committed to a state psychiatric hospital.

David adds she will likely spend the rest of her life in the hospital unless she can prove she understands right from wrong and no longer poses a threat to herself or others.