Family Feud contestant accused of killing wife joked that a wedding regret would be marrying at all

An Illinois man arrested for 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.

As part of the game show Harvey asked Timothy Bliefnick, 39, to predict the most common answer to the question: ‘What’s the biggest mistake you made at your wedding?’

‘Honey, I love you,’ said Bliefnick, addressing his own wife, before adding cautiously, ‘Said, “I do”?’ His response evoked laughter and gasps from the crowd and a blank stare from Harvey.

Bliefnick appeared in court on Tuesday 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.

Timothy Bliefnick, 39, predicted that a common wedding mistake would be agreeing to get married at all. He was arrested earlier this week and accused of murdering his estranged wife

Bliefnick, who since grew out his hair, appeared in court on Tuesday having been accused of fatally shooting his estranged wife, who was also mother to his three children

Bliefnick was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder and one of home invasion, he remains in Adams County Jail

The episode was recorded in the fall of 2019 but aired in the spring of 2020, according to ABC.  

Family Feud requires contestants to guess the most typical responses to certain questions. After Bliefnick gave his answer to the biggest wedding mistake question, Harvey looked at him judgmentally. 

‘Not my mistake, not my mistake. I love my wife,’ Bliefnick said. ‘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. Of the 100 people that had been asked the question, it appeared 20 had given that response.

Bliefnick made the comment as a contestant in an episode of Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey and which aired in January 2020. Harvey joked that his response would get him in trouble

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Bliefnick and his estranged wife were living just a few blocks from each other. He was arrested from his home on Monday

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’.

A GoFundMe set up by Rebecca’s sister has raised more than $70,000 of a $100,000 goal which will fund her funeral and care for her three children

He reportedly attended her wake but skipped her funeral service because he did not want to be a distraction

Casey Schnack added: ‘I have requested but have not received copies of the charging document and arrest warrant. We will be evaluating his case and making decisions as more information comes in.

‘Seeking an OP in a divorce is not uncommon gameplay in Adams County. The state’s attorney’s office needs a narrative. It appears that domestic violence is that narrative.’ 

She also confirmed that Bliefnick had not previously been arrested and their children had never been removed from the home due to domestic violence.

A GoFundMe set up by Rebecca’s sister has raised more than $70,000 of a $100,000 goal which will fund her funeral and care for her three children.

Her sister Sarah wrote: ‘Despite the circumstances of her death, she is remembered for the life she cherished – a life of compassion, generosity, faith, and fierce love for her family.

‘She leaves behind three young children and an entire community who loved her more than anything. 

‘Becky always envisioned herself working hands-on in the medical profession, so it was no surprise when she chose a career in nursing – her true calling – where she was able to provide care and comfort to people on a daily basis.’

Bliefnick appeared on Family Feud with his mother, brothers and father in 2021, but not his estranged wife.

Business developer Bliefnick was ‘very cooperative’ with officers when they swooped on his property on March 1, and handed over his keys to the home, which he rents, and his car.

Rebecca’s (pictured left) sister Sarah wrote: ‘Despite the circumstances of her death, she is remembered for the life she cherished – a life of compassion, generosity, faith, and fierce love for her family’

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 have three sons together, but were living separately at the time of her death, with court records showing their split was filed in February 2021.

Police Chief Adam Yates said that such a violent crime is ‘rare’ in the small town, which has only 40,000 residents 

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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

Concerned family members raised the alarm after Rebecca, a nurse, failed to collect her three sons from school.

Officers responded to her home at 3.32pm and have remained on site since, removing evidence from the property.

Police Chief Adam Yates said that such a violent crime is ‘rare’ in the small town, which has only 40,000 residents.

In a statement he said: ‘On February 23, Rebecca Bliefnick, a 41-year-old mother of three, was found shot to death in her home in the 2500 Block of Kentucky Road. Since that day, detectives with the Quincy Police Department have been working, non-stop, gathering information, collecting evidence, and piecing together the events that led to Ms. Bliefnick’s death.

‘I want to remind everyone that in our criminal justice system, individuals are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. A great deal of work went into getting to this point in the investigation.

‘There is much work yet to be done and the investigation continues, but today’s development is a significant step forward in the search for justice for Rebecca. I am very proud of the men and women of the Quincy Police Department.

Officers responded to her home at 3.32pm and have remained on site since, removing evidence from the property

Bliefnick was stopped by officers outside of his home, and taken to a relative’s property following the conversation with officers on March 1

‘Also, it is important to acknowledge that the assistance and cooperation of the public was key to moving this investigation forward. This brutal crime has had the Quincy community on edge and our residents living in fear.

‘I hope today’s announcement can begin to calm some of those concerns. That said, it is a good reminder to not become complacent. 

‘Make sure you lock your doors, turn on exterior lights, be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity to the police.

‘These are things we should always do. We must look out for one another and work together to make Quincy as safe as possible.

‘To Ms. Bliefnick’s family, nothing we do as a police department will ever bring Rebecca back to you and her three boys. 

‘All we can do is use our tools, talents and every available resource to bring you justice. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you.’