Couple charged in plot to kill ex-girlfriends with cyanide, poison sickened investigators
A shocking case has emerged in Wisconsin where a couple has been charged with a sinister plot to kill two women using cyanide. The investigation took a dangerous turn when several investigators tracking the pair were hospitalized after being exposed to the deadly poison, according to prosecutors and reports.
Paul VanDuyne and Andrea Whitaker are at the center of this disturbing case. They are accused of concocting poisons and carrying out a complex scheme to murder two women who were former girlfriends of VanDuyne, as per the Wisconsin Justice Department.
The elaborate plan allegedly involved VanDuyne breaking into a woman’s car in a Middleton Costco parking lot and contaminating her water bottle with cyanide. Although the woman initially did not notice anything amiss, she later found that the water tasted strange after being informed by bystanders that her car had been tampered with, as reported by Fox 47.
In a chilling repeat of the incident, another woman in Rock County fell victim to the same poisoning method. She was hospitalized after consuming cyanide-laced water found in her car following a visit to the gym. Both victims had brief relationships with VanDuyne, according to prosecutors.
VanDuyne was apprehended after authorities caught him attempting to cover up evidence related to the hazmat-linked investigations. While in custody, he reportedly contacted Whitaker and instructed her to remove items from his residence. Law enforcement intercepted Whitaker as she was leaving with her belongings and discovered incriminating messages on her phone discussing various poisons. Prosecutors believe the couple had planned to use poison to eliminate VanDuyne’s ex-girlfriends.
The gravity of the situation escalated when at least seven state investigators involved in the case were hospitalized due to potential exposure to cyanide, as per WISN.com.
Revealing the disturbing details further, Dane County Assistant District Attorney William Brown disclosed that Whitaker’s online search history included inquiries about the properties of potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide, as well as information on cyanide’s appearance and lethality.
VanDuyne and Whitaker now face a slew of charges in Rock County, including attempted homicide, aggravated battery, reckless endangerment, and stalking with a dangerous weapon. In Dane County, VanDuyne faces additional charges for attempted homicide and stalking, while Whitaker is accused of aiding and abetting the crimes and attempting to obstruct justice.
The investigation involved a collaborative effort from seven agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories, and the FBI.
This harrowing case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in unexpected places and the importance of swift and decisive law enforcement action in preventing harm to innocent individuals.
