Fact Check: "Victim hospitalized with thallium poisoning after dating VanDuyne."
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that Paul VanDuyne Jr. and Andrea Whitaker, a couple from Wisconsin, have been charged with attempted murder for allegedly poisoning two women he had previously dated. One of the victims, who is from Rock County, was hospitalized with thallium in her system, a toxic substance that has been banned for household use in the U.S. since 1965 due to its dangerous effects (NBC News). The victim's case came to light when a doctor from the Wisconsin Poison Center reported her hospitalization to authorities, stating that the levels of thallium found could only be due to intentional consumption (NBC News).
The other victim, from Dane County, reported feeling ill after drinking water that had been tampered with, which tested positive for cyanide and thallium (New York Post). Both women had minimal contact with VanDuyne, who allegedly developed a delusional obsession with them, leading to the poisoning attempts (NBC News).
Analysis
The evidence presented in court documents and reported by various news outlets supports the claim that a victim was hospitalized due to thallium poisoning after dating VanDuyne. The Rock County victim's hospitalization was confirmed by medical professionals who noted the unusual presence of thallium in her system, indicating foul play (NBC News). Additionally, the victim's account of events, including her symptoms and the timeline of her interactions with VanDuyne, aligns with the allegations made by prosecutors.
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include detailed court documents and statements from law enforcement officials. The NBC News report provides a comprehensive overview of the case, while the New York Post corroborates the details regarding the poisoning methods used, including the use of thallium and cyanide (New York Post). The information is consistent across multiple reputable outlets, which adds to its credibility.
Conclusion
The claim that a victim was hospitalized with thallium poisoning after dating VanDuyne is True. The evidence from medical reports and court documents clearly indicates that the victim suffered from thallium poisoning as a result of the actions taken by VanDuyne and Whitaker. The systematic approach to poisoning, including the use of various toxic substances, further substantiates the severity of the allegations against the couple.
Sources
- Wisconsin pair charged in alleged plot to stalk, poison and kill dating ... NBC News
- Princeton grad, gal pal allegedly use rat poison, rosary-pea toxin on ... New York Post
- Complaints: Suspects tried to poison young women using cyanide ... WKOW
- Prosecutors: Madison couple tried to fatally poison a Rock County woman Big Radio