A Nebraska barbecue turned deadly Saturday night after a couple allegedly worked together to kill the woman’s own mother following an argument about a child, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Samantha Neiber, 25, and her boyfriend Mason Clarke, 30, were hosting a family gathering at their Elkhorn home when Samantha’s mother, Jennifer Neiber, 57, became involved in a heated dispute with Clarke over Samantha’s 3-year-old child — who is not Clarke’s biological child.
What started as a verbal argument quickly escalated into violence.
According to authorities, Clarke forced a sock into Jennifer’s mouth while Samantha held her own mother’s wrists pinned to the ground. Jennifer Neiber was pronounced dead at the scene by Omaha Fire Department medical personnel.
Deputies responded to the home around 10 p.m. after receiving a call about a suspicious death. When officers arrived, they found Clarke and Samantha Neiber sitting on a bed — with Jennifer Neiber’s body on the floor directly in front of them.
Clarke was interviewed by investigators before being taken into custody. He now faces charges of second-degree murder and child abuse by neglect without injury. Samantha Neiber was charged with accessory to a Class I felony and child abuse by neglect without injury.
The couple is currently being held at the Douglas County Correctional Center in Omaha.
Samantha’s 3-year-old child was removed from the home and temporarily placed with Project Harmony, a local domestic abuse and child advocacy center.
Authorities have not yet revealed what specific details of the argument pushed the situation to the point of violence.
The case has left neighbors and community members shaken — raising disturbing questions about what truly happened inside that home before deputies arrived.
This is a developing story. Updates will be added as new information becomes available.
