Taipei Woman Faces Charges for Poisoning Australian Man with Rat Poison
A woman from Taipei has been formally charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning an Australian man over several months. The victim, identified as Alex Shorey, was poisoned with rodenticide and was left in critical condition in Taiwan before being evacuated back to Australia.
Details of the Incident: A Slow and Deliberate Poisoning
The woman, surnamed Yang (楊), is accused of poisoning Shorey multiple times in 2023 to prevent him from leaving Taiwan. According to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, Yang spiked Shorey’s food and drinks with bromadiolone, a powerful rodenticide that prevents blood clotting. The poisoning allegedly began after Shorey informed Yang of his plans to return to Australia in mid-April 2023.
On March 24, 2023, Yang allegedly added bromadiolone to a drink she gave Shorey at her home. After consuming the poisoned drink, Shorey began showing symptoms, including stomach pain, diarrhea, nosebleeds, and blood in his urine, and was subsequently hospitalized on March 25, 2023.
The Medical Response: Delayed Diagnosis of Poisoning
Doctors at Taipei Medical University Hospital initially failed to identify the cause of Shorey’s illness. It wasn’t until April 10 that doctors confirmed the symptoms were caused by superwarfarin, a component of the rodenticide bromadiolone. Despite knowing that Shorey was suffering from the effects of poisoning, Yang allegedly continued to poison him, mixing additional doses of bromadiolone and blood pressure medication, amlodipine, into his food and drinks.
Deceptive Actions and Continued Poisoning
Prosecutors have accused Yang of continuing her poisoning scheme even after Shorey’s condition worsened. Yang reportedly tricked Shorey’s father into signing a form that prevented his son from being placed in intensive care, contrary to the advice of doctors.
Between April 30 and May 2, 2023, while Shorey was still hospitalized, Yang allegedly confronted him about personal matters and continued to poison him. Prosecutors also found an empty bottle of the rodenticide at Yang’s home on May 1, further confirming her involvement in the poisoning.
Discovery of Poison and Investigations into a Previous Death
A search of Yang’s residence on May 3 and 5, 2023, uncovered several mugs containing traces of bromadiolone. Yang has now been charged with attempted murder due to her repeated actions despite knowing the potential fatal consequences of her actions.
Additionally, Yang could face further charges related to the death of her British husband in January 2023. Authorities have revealed that Yang’s husband exhibited similar symptoms to those of Shorey before his death, prompting investigators to notify prosecutors about potential connections between the two cases.
Table: Key Facts of the Poisoning Incident
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Alex Shorey, an Australian man |
| Suspect | Yang (楊), a Taipei woman |
| Poison Used | Bromadiolone, a rodenticide |
| Date of Initial Poisoning | March 24, 2023 |
| Symptoms Experienced by Victim | Stomachache, diarrhea, nosebleeds, blood in urine |
| Diagnosis Confirmed | April 10, 2023, as superwarfarin (part of bromadiolone) |
| Continued Poisoning Period | April 30 to May 2, 2023 |
| Further Investigation | Potential link to death of her British husband in January 2023 |
| Charges | Attempted murder |
FAQs:
Q1: Why was Alex Shorey poisoned?
A: Yang allegedly poisoned Shorey over several months to prevent him from leaving Taiwan, after he informed her of his intention to return to Australia.
Q2: What poison did the suspect use?
A: The poison used was bromadiolone, a rodenticide that prevents blood clotting, leading to serious health issues.
Q3: How long did the poisoning occur?
A: The poisoning occurred over several months, beginning in March 2023, and continued until May 2023, despite Shorey being hospitalized.
Q4: Did the authorities find evidence linking the death of Yang’s husband to poisoning?
A: Yes, Yang’s British husband exhibited similar symptoms to Shorey before his death, which led authorities to investigate further into his death as a potential case of poisoning.
Q5: What charges is Yang facing?
A: Yang is facing charges of attempted murder for repeatedly poisoning Shorey, knowing the potential fatal consequences of her actions.
