Aina Dobilaite is a name that many people may not recognize, but she was once at the center of a shocking murder case that rocked the town of Peoria, Illinois. In 2013, Nathan Leuthold, a Christian missionary and a married father of three, killed his wife Denise Leuthold on Valentine’s Day. The motive? He wanted to be with his young lover, Aina Dobilaite, a Lithuanian exchange student who was living with the Leutholds. But where is Aina Dobilaite now in 2023, and what happened to her after the trial?
Aina Dobilaite’s Relationship With Nathan Leuthold
Aina Dobilaite met Nathan Leuthold when she was only six years old. He was a missionary who visited her hometown of Kaunas, Lithuania, and sponsored her education. When she turned 18, he brought her to the United States to attend college. He paid for her tuition, bought her expensive gifts, and took her on trips to Europe. He also confessed his love for her and told her he was unhappy in his marriage and planned to divorce his wife.
However, Aina Dobilaite denied having a romantic involvement with Nathan Leuthold. She claimed that he was just a friend and a mentor, and that she never slept with him. She also said that she was unaware of his plans to kill his wife, and that she was shocked and disgusted when she learned about the crime.
The Peoria Murder Case
On February 14, 2013, Nathan Leuthold shot his wife Denise in the head in their home. He then staged a burglary to make it look like an intruder had killed her. He also texted Aina Dobilaite that he had a “surprise” for her, and told her to stay away from his house. He later called 911 and reported the murder.
However, the police soon became suspicious of Nathan Leuthold. They found evidence that he had searched online for ways to kill someone with poison, and that he had bought a gun and ammunition shortly before the murder. They also discovered his affair with Aina Dobilaite, and found love letters and emails between them. They also found a receipt for a hotel room that he had booked for Valentine’s Day, presumably for him and Aina Dobilaite.
Nathan Leuthold was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and claimed that he loved his wife and had no reason to kill her. He also said that he and Aina Dobilaite were just friends, and that he had helped her out of compassion.
The trial lasted for five days, and the jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Nathan Leuthold guilty. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison, and he is currently serving his time in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Aina Dobilaite’s Life After The Trial
Aina Dobilaite was never charged in connection with the murder, but she faced a lot of public scrutiny and criticism. Many people accused her of being a gold digger, a home wrecker, and a co-conspirator. She also received death threats and harassment from strangers.
Aina Dobilaite left the United States shortly after Nathan Leuthold’s arrest. She returned to Lithuania, where she tried to resume her normal life. She deactivated her social media accounts and avoided the media attention. She also changed her name and appearance, and moved to a different city.
In 2014, she gave a rare interview to a Lithuanian newspaper, where she expressed her regret and sorrow for the Leuthold family. She also said that she had no contact with Nathan Leuthold, and that she wanted to forget him and move on with her life.
Aina Dobilaite is now 31 years old, and she is reportedly working as a teacher. She is also married and has a child. She has not spoken publicly about the case since 2014, and she prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She has not returned to the United States, and she has no plans to do so.