Daughter's Shocking Crime: Why She Killed Her Mom Over an Eviction

Jennifer Blake's decision to kill her mother, Kathy Kraynik, over an impending eviction shocked her community and revealed a tragic story of desperation and family conflict. The crime highlighted how financial strain and strained relationships can escalate into the unthinkable.

The Scene of the Crime

On Dec. 14, 2000, a friend reported 46-year-old Kathy Kraynik missing. Her daughter, 25-year-old Jennifer Blake, told police her mother had left the day before in a red vehicle with a stranger in an attempt to deflect suspicion. Nearly two weeks later, Kraynik's body was discovered in a wooded area about 100 miles away in Northampton, North Carolina. The remains showed signs of a brutal death — strangulation marks on the neck, a sock stuffed in the mouth, and attempts to burn the body to destroy evidence. This grim discovery ended any hope of a safe return for Kraynik.

A Murder Driven by Financial Desperation

Blake and her children were living in Kraynik's Chesapeake, Virginia, home when escalating financial strain and mounting tensions pushed their relationship to its breaking point. Evidence found in the home suggested Blake's desperation played a key role in the crime. Mud on Kraynik's car wheels indicated it had been used to transport her body, and a trash can in the garage contained remnants of a fire. Missing items from a linen closet were later tied to the crime scene. Most notably, a notepad in Kraynik's belongings revealed drafts of an eviction letter she had intended to give Blake. These factors underscored the escalating conflict that culminated in murder.

A Strained Mother/Daughter Relationship

Blake's relationship with her mother deteriorated significantly due to lifestyle clashes and financial strain. Tensions peaked when Blake began dating Corey Jackson, whom Kraynick disapproved of. Kraynick was frustrated with Blake's lack of responsibility, including neglecting her children and violating house rules by allowing Jackson into the home. This led Kraynick to decide Blake needed to move out and take accountability for her life. The situation escalated further when Kraynick prepared to testify against Blake in a custody case, adding another layer of conflict that likely motivated the crime.

The Key Tip

On Dec. 11, 2000, three days before Kraynik was reported missing, Blake and Jackson visited Linda King's home with a baby, asking for help to free their vehicle stuck in a muddy field. King and her son found their behavior suspicious and later contacted police upon seeing news of Kraynick's murder and her vehicle. They identified Blake and Jackson in a lineup as having been in Kraynick's car.

During the investigation, Jackson revealed that Blake had been distraught over her pending eviction and possible loss of custody, leading them to plan the murder the night before. During the crime, Jackson admitted to holding Kraynick down while Blake strangled her and stuffed a sock in her mouth to muffle the noise. They attempted, unsuccessfully, to burn her body before dumping it in the woods.

Legal Proceedings and Conviction

Police arrested Blake after evidence and inconsistencies in her statements tied her to the crime. Jackson, who took a plea deal, was sentenced to 35 years in prison with the possibility of parole and testified against Blake at her trial. His testimony was corroborated by Blake's 7-year-old daughter, who recounted hearing her grandmother pleading for Blake to stop the night of the murder. A jury ultimately convicted Blake of first-degree murder, sentencing her to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Revived Interest

Blake's case gained renewed attention recently following its feature on the true-crime series "Snapped," which explored the chilling details of her crime and the psychological profile that emerged during the trial. The show highlighted how financial stress and a fractured relationship can culminate in tragedy.

References 'Devious' Daughter Strangles Her Mother to Avoid Eviction: 'Textbook Pathological' | Where is Jennifer Blake now? Details explored ahead of Snapped on Oxygen