A downtown Wilmington attraction is closed until at least mid-April.

The Cape Fear Serpentarium announced on its website and Facebook page recently that the two-story snake and reptile exhibit at 20 Orange St. is temporarily closed because of "circumstances beyond our control and the complicated and delicate nature of the estate proceedings."

Cape Fear Serpentarium founder and owner Dean Ripa was shot and killed May 13 last year at the age of 60. His wife, Regina, was indicted in October on a charge of first-degree murder in Dean Ripa's death, with the latest administrative court date in the case scheduled for April 9 in New Hanover County Superior Court.

The serpentarium's website said, "We hope to re-open by mid-April. Thank you for your patience and we are grateful for the outpouring of hope and all of your support. We hope to see you soon!"

In a Greater Wilmington Business Journal story in September, Cape Fear Serpentarium Director William Beard and his wife, Deena, said the serpentarium is operating under Cape Fear Serpentarium LLC, but they would not comment further on the status of the business and property at that time. Cape Fear Serpentarium LLC was organized in June, according to corporation documents filed with the state of North Carolina.

Dean Ripa founded the 10,000-square-foot serpentarium in 2001. The attraction closed last year for a week while repairs were made, reopening in September. The attraction's website indicates it is normally open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

This year, serpentarium officials said on Facebook on March 14 that Cape Fear Serpentarium was closing until March 23, replying in the comment section, "We are doing some upgrading to the exhibits before summer starts."

But the notice of the latest closure until at least mid-April was posted March 22 on Facebook. Efforts to reach someone at the serpentarium were not immediately successful Tuesday.