Prosecutors say a couple from Wisconsin is facing serious charges for plotting to use cyanide to kill two women—specifically, Vanduin’s ex-girlfriends. Reports indicate that this bizarre and dangerous scheme resulted in several investigators being hospitalized after encountering the poison.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice claims that Paul Vanduin and Andrea Whitaker attempted to manufacture poison to target these women. Last month, Vanduin allegedly broke into a woman’s car in a Costco parking lot and contaminated a water bottle with cyanide.
The woman noticed people warning her about her car but didn’t realize anything was wrong at the time. The situation became clearer weeks later when she brought the water bottle to the police, who confirmed its harmful contents.
Around the same period, another woman in Rock County found herself in the hospital after drinking from a bottle that had also been tainted with cyanide. Prosecutors mentioned that both women had briefly dated Vanduin.
Vanduin was arrested after authorities observed him trying to dispose of evidence related to the case. Police had been keeping an eye on him, and when they approached a Rock County woman he was linked to, they made their move.
While in custody, Vanduin reportedly instructed Whitaker to remove items from his home. Law enforcement intercepted her and discovered multiple texts discussing various poisons on her phone.
At least seven state investigators have ended up hospitalized due to potential poisoning exposure, which is alarming. An assistant district attorney noted that Whitaker had searched online for details about potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide, among other queries related to poison.
Both Vanduin and Whitaker face numerous charges, including attempted murder and stalking, in Rock County. Additionally, Vanduin has more attempted murder charges in Dane County, while Whitaker is accused of aiding him.
The investigation involved seven different agencies, including the FBI and the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Criminal Investigation Division. It’s a chilling case that highlights the lengths some will go to in almost unfathomable circumstances.
