SHAKOPEE, Minn. — Jennifer Lynn Lieber was sentenced to 25 and a half years in prison for the murder of her live-in boyfriend, David Joseph Nanovic, during a confrontation at their home in March 2024. Following a trial, a jury found Lieber guilty, rejecting her claims that the shooting was accidental.
The incident occurred on March 4, 2024, when deputies responded to a welfare check after Lieber’s estranged husband reported her erratic behavior. He had heard from Nanovic’s young son that Lieber was threatening self-harm. Upon arrival, deputies found Lieber outside, who admitted she had an argument with Nanovic, referring to a serious mistake she made. In her initial account, she claimed that Nanovic had the gun and that it discharged after she kicked it from his hand.
However, the child’s testimony contradicted Lieber’s narrative. He reported that Lieber had been brandishing the handgun and making threatening statements. According to the boy, Lieber was aggressive and verbally abusive during the evening, leading him to describe their living situation as “living in hell.”
Investigators pieced together a timeline of events that night, detailing how tensions escalated. After a series of conflicts, Nanovic had attempted to remove himself from the situation by retreating to a pool house with his son. Meanwhile, Lieber’s children had expressed concern about their mother’s behavior, prompting one to seek assistance from Nanovic and his son to check on family pets. As they approached, Lieber aimed the gun at them and fired a warning shot, forcing them to retreat.
When authorities entered the home, they found Nanovic dead at the bottom of a staircase, having been fatally shot in the head. The autopsy revealed the wound was consistent with being shot at close range, contradictory to Lieber’s assertion that the gun went off accidentally. Further investigation revealed prior threats Lieber had made against Nanovic and the children, establishing a pattern of alarming behavior.
Prosecutors relied on multiple pieces of evidence to argue their case, including Lieber’s frantic phone call to a friend after the shooting, where she claimed there was “blood everywhere” and insisted it wasn’t her fault. As the chaos of the night unfolded, the conflicting accounts from children and adults painted a grim picture of a volatile situation leading to tragedy.
Lieber was charged with second-degree murder and faced a jury in January 2026. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict. On April 7, Scott County Judge Caroline Lennon sentenced her to 306 months in prison, acknowledging the severity of the crime and the impact on Nanovic’s family.
Sheriff Luke Hennen emphasized that the prosecution reflected the dedication of law enforcement to seek justice for victims of violent crimes. Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar remarked on the preventable nature of the act, expressing regret that the sentencing could not alleviate the suffering of Nanovic’s loved ones.
Lieber’s case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding domestic disputes and the often tragic outcomes that can arise. As she begins her sentence, the legal proceedings now enter the post-sentencing phase with no further hearing scheduled.