WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Police say the owner of the Cape Fear Serpentarium in Wilmington was shot to death and his wife is now charged with murder.
Snake expert Dean Ripa was killed Saturday in an apartment above the downtown attraction on Orange Street.
Wilmington police say 40-year-old Regina Ripa is charged with first-degree murder in her husband's death.
Regina Ripa is being held without bond and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday.
The serpentarium's website says 60-year-old Dean Ripa had survived 12 venomous snake bites.
He founded the serpentarium in 2001.