Paul VanDuyne Jr., 43, and Andrea Whitaker, 41, from Wisconsin face serious charges including attempted murder after allegedly attempting to poison two women they met online, both of whom were former romantic interests of VanDuyne. The couple has been charged with aggravated battery, recklessly endangering public safety, and stalking, with VanDuyne’s bail set at $10 million and Whitaker’s at $4 million. They have both remained in custody without entering pleas.
One victim, a Dane County woman, recounted a disturbing encounter with Whitaker near her garage. She met VanDuyne over a year ago, went on a couple of dates, and explicitly stated she wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship. The other victim, from Rock County, is currently recovering from severe poisoning caused by thallium; a substance banned in household use since the 1970s. After consulting medical professionals, authorities connected VanDuyne to the poisoning incidents, including a rare case involving hydrogen sulfide.
The investigation revealed the couple’s systematic efforts to poison both victims, including tampering with their vehicles and water supplies using toxic chemicals like cyanide. After using tracking methods, police found evidence linking the couple to both poisoning cases, including a bag with vials and a seed grinder for making abrin, another poison.
VanDuyne and Whitaker’s motivations appear disconnected from reality, with court documents noting that their behavior suggested a delusion regarding their relationships with the victims. They are expected to appear in court soon to address the serious charges against them.
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