Fact Check: Wisconsin couple charged with attempted murder for poisoning dating app liaisons
What We Know
A couple from Wisconsin, Paul VanDuyne Jr. (43) and Andrea Whitaker (41), has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including attempted murder, aggravated battery, and stalking. The charges stem from allegations that they conspired to poison two women whom VanDuyne had previously dated through online dating platforms. According to reports, the couple appeared in court separately, where bail was set at $10 million for VanDuyne and $4 million for Whitaker (NBC News).
The victims, who had only met VanDuyne a few times, reported strange incidents, including one victim discovering Whitaker crouched next to her vehicle. The first victim, identified in court as being from Dane County, stated that after she rejected VanDuyne, he and Whitaker developed a delusional belief that she was still involved with him. This delusion allegedly motivated their attempt to poison her (NBC News).
In a separate incident, the second victim from Rock County was hospitalized due to thallium poisoning, a substance known for its toxic effects and historically used in rodent poisons. Medical professionals indicated that the level of thallium found in her system could only be due to intentional consumption (NBC News). Investigations revealed that the couple had attempted to poison both women using various toxic substances, including cyanide and thallium, and had even tampered with their vehicles (NBC News).
Analysis
The allegations against VanDuyne and Whitaker are supported by a series of investigative findings and testimonies from the victims. The prosecution's case includes detailed accounts of how the couple allegedly plotted to poison the victims, including tampering with their vehicles and using toxic substances. The involvement of medical professionals, who reported the poisoning cases, adds credibility to the claims against the couple (NBC News).
The sources reporting on this case, including NBC News and other local outlets, are generally reliable and have a history of covering legal and crime-related news. The details provided in the reports are consistent across multiple outlets, reinforcing the narrative of a premeditated attempt to harm the victims (NBC News, Yahoo News).
However, it is essential to consider that the defendants have not yet entered pleas, and their legal representatives have not publicly commented on the allegations. This leaves room for the possibility of defense arguments that may emerge as the case progresses. Nonetheless, the evidence presented thus far, including the medical findings and the victims' testimonies, strongly supports the claims of attempted murder.
Conclusion
Based on the available evidence and credible reporting, the claim that a Wisconsin couple has been charged with attempted murder for poisoning dating app liaisons is True. The charges are substantiated by serious allegations of a conspiracy to poison two women, supported by medical evidence and victim testimonies.
