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A well-known man in the reptile community was murdered Saturday in his apartment. His wife, Regina Ripa is the main suspect in the murder. She is currently in police custody at the New Hanover Counter Detention Center.
Shortly before 2:30 P.M., police arrived at an apartment above the Cape Fear Serpentarium, after receiving a 911 call concerning a shooting.
Wilmington Police Spokesperson Cathryn Lindsay believes this crime to be a domestic-related homicide. “It was a domestic-related homicide in an apartment above the serpentarium,” Lindsay said.
Dean Ripa is the deceased. He’s a 60-year-old snake expert and owner of the Cape Fear Serpentarium. He’s survived 12 venomous snake bites throughout his life, yet this encounter with a human proved fatal.
Dean’s wife Regina Ripa is currently being held without bond. She’s charged with first-degree murder in the death of her husband. She has a court appearance scheduled for Monday, May 15, 2017.
According to the snake museum’s web site, Dean Ripa was “snake hunter for hire” for zoos, laboratories and private interests before founding the serpentarium in 2001, the biography said.
Dean was first bitten by a snake at 4-years-old, but it was a non-venomous bite. He lived the life he wanted and traveled the world. Rest in peace, Dean.
