207 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Case Description
Any updates on this case?
Dean Ripa, a 60-year-old male from Wilmington, NC, was tragically killed on May 13, 2017. Dean Ripa was the owner of the Cape Fear Serpentarium, a well-known snake zoo in the area. On the day of his death, Dean Ripa was shot multiple times, including three times in the head, in the upstairs living quarters of the Serpentarium. His wife, Regina Ripa, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death. Regina Ripa, a 42-year-old female, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (9)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
Dean Ripa
Male
White / Caucasian
Wilmington
NC
2017-05-13
60
Dean
Ripa
11/04/2025
Forum Posts (3)
Hey everyone,
I've been reflecting on the closure of the Cape Fear Serpentarium and the role it p... ...Read More
01/19/2025
I've been reflecting on the closure of the Cape Fear Serpentarium and the role it p... ...Read More
01/19/2025
I found myself really moved by the story of Dean Ripa and how it not only ended in such a tragic way... ...Read More
12/28/2023
12/28/2023
I keep thinking about the closure of the Cape Fear Serpentarium and how it marks the end of an era f... ...Read More
04/01/2023
04/01/2023
