A 41-year-old Lincoln woman was charged with murder Monday in the death of her husband last year.
Amanda Wright has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 38-year-old Zachary Svoboda, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Amanda Wright
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Judge Thomas Zimmerman ordered Wright held without bond. She is currently at the Lancaster County jail.
Svoboda was found dead on Aug. 21 after police were sent to a residence in the 3000 block of North 50th Street on a report of an obvious death, according to the affidavit.
Police arrived and discovered Svoboda dead inside the home. Investigators spoke with witnesses and over the course of several months determined Wright deliberately concocted a plan to kill Svoboda.
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Through the investigation, police say they determined that Wright intentionally provided Svoboda with a deadly dose of fentanyl.
According to the affidavit, an autopsy found the cause of death to be acute intoxication by fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Investigators believe Wright was inside the home when Svoboda died, and she made no effort to call 911. Following his death, she tried to hide the circumstances of his death and allowed others to discover him while she was away from the home, police say.
On April 25, a narcotics investigation led police to arrest Wright after they executed a search warrant at her residence, which is where Svoboda died. During the search, police discovered 96 grams of meth, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Hidden inside a wall of the home was a black Smith & Wesson handgun with two magazines. police believe this gun was taken from a car in March.
On April 29, she was charged with possessing a firearm with a criminal drug violation, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of money while violating drug laws for this incident.
Wright is the second person to be charged with murder by the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office this year.
On April 9, John Armstrong, 52, of Lincoln, was shot during a dispute at an apartment in the 1100 block of G Street. Jacob Mulloy, 53, was charged with first-degree murder.
On April 7, Greg Little, 32, was shot and killed by a security guard at the Royal Hookah Bar & Lounge at 1619 O St. There have been no arrests in that case.
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Remembering Lincoln’s homicide victims of 2023
1. Julian A. Martinez
Police found 18-year-old Julian Martinez with one gunshot wound to his chest near 19th Street and Euclid Avenue on Jan. 21 after an argument over with a neighbor over their pet dogs returned into a fatal shooting, according to authorities.
Prosecutors charged Martinez’s neighbor, 29-year-old Armon Rejai, with first-degree murder in the teen’s death.
In his obituary, Martinez’s family said he cherished his sisters and nephews, who he loved to play video games and roughhouse with. I have shared his life and love with his girlfriend and his best friend, along with numerous cousins and relatives, his family said.
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2. Rudy Requejo Jr.
Rudy Requejo Jr., who was 22 months old, died at an Omaha hospital March 17 after weeks of suspected abuse and neglect, police investigators alleged in court filings.
Prosecutors charged the boy’s mother, 30-year-old Brittany Cook, and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Joshua Tackett, with child abuse resulting in the child’s death.
His family remembered Requejo Jr.’s infectious joy that, at times, brought previously feuding family members together.
“Junior had a smile that was like gravity,” his aunt said.
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3. Ronald Gonzalez Rivas
Ronald E. Gonzalez-Rivas, 45, was one of two maintenance employees at The Lodge Apartments who were run over and killed at the south Lincoln complex on March 27.
A resident of the apartment complex, 27-year-old Taylor Bradley, was charged with six felonies for her alleged role in the brazen attack, including a first-degree murder charge in Gonzalez-Rivas’ death, according to court records.
In a GoFundMe post, his wife of 11 years, Georgina Molina, said she was deeply saddened by his death and asked for prayers for their family. Gonzalez-Rivas left behind two children, ages 19 and 26.
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5. Damien Brave
Damien I. Brave, an 18-year-old Lincoln man, died in the early morning hours of April 1 after he was shot four times at a house party the night before near 27th and Fair streets.
Police in Michigan later arrested 17-year-old Kashaun M. McCree for his alleged role in Brave’s death, thought to have been the result of a robbery gone wrong. Prosecutors charged McCree, who police say fled to Detroit after the shooting, with first-degree murder.
Brave’s close friend and family, who launched a GoFundMe campaign to pay for his memorial costs, remembered him as a goofy, fun-loving kid whose beaming smile demanded that others join in.
“If you felt like crap or you felt down, and you got one of his hugs, you just felt like you were safe,” his mother, Heidi Brave, said. “I’m the mom. I should have made him feel safe. But the way he just hugged you, it just made you feel like you were something special.”
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6. Mark Kruger
Mark Kruger, 59, died May 7 after he was stabbed amid an argument at a family gathering that evening near 63rd Street and Baldwin Avenue.
Police arrested Kruger’s son, Joseph Kruger, at the scene. The 40-year-old was later charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony for his alleged role in his dad’s death.
In his obituary, Mark Kruger’s family described the Lincoln man as a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle who loved music, concert-going and riding his Harley.
“…He loved to make the world smile,” Kruger’s family wrote. “He loved camping, fishing and going out on the boat. Mark always, always gave compliments and encouragement to everyone and he would give the shirt off his back for anyone.”
The family also launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral.
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7. Zachary Svoboda
Zachary Svoboda died on Aug. 23, 2023, after police found him dead at his home near the North 50th and Greenwood streets.
An autopsy determined the cause of death to be intoxication from a combination of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Investigators have identified physical and digital evidence, along with witness statements, that show Svoboda’s death was intentional.
Police believe Amanda Wright devised and carried out a plan to kill Svoboda.
She is currently being held at the Lancaster County jail.
9. Larry Cole
Larry Cole, 76, was found in his residence on the 1100 block of New Hampshire Street on Dec. 19. Officers went to the home on a welfare check, which was called in by one of Cole’s family members.
Police received no answer when they knocked and smelled natural gas, which led them to call Lincoln Fire and Rescue who turned off the gas.
When the air cleared, police went in and found Cole dead inside, as well as another man.
Cole’s death was later ruled a homicide.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or [email protected].
On Twitter @Alex_Vargas1994
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