Princeton graduate and his girlfriend reportedly use rat poison and rosary pea toxin on women he encountered through dating apps

Princeton Alumni and Girlfriend Charged in Alleged Poisoning Plot

A Princeton graduate and his girlfriend allegedly attempted to poison two women they encountered through a dating app, using homemade concoctions that involved rat poison, cyanide, and the toxic Rosary Peas plant, according to officials.

Paul Vandin Jr. and his girlfriend, 41-year-old Andrea Whitaker from Wisconsin, now face charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, recklessly endangering public safety, and stalking as part of what authorities describe as a “demonic conspiracy.”

Vandin, a former mechanical engineer who recently got divorced, began his dating app journey after two brief encounters with one of the victims before meeting Whitaker over a year ago.

Prosecutors allege that the pair, both with backgrounds in pharmacology, devised a scheme to contaminate the victims’ belongings—specifically items like their vehicles and water bottles—with various poisonous substances.

Reports indicate that Whitaker’s jealousy over one of the women played a significant role in their plan.

The substances involved included toxic plants, cyanides, and thallium, a substance banned in the U.S. due to its association with numerous accidental poisonings since 1975.

One victim from Rock County found herself in the hospital after testing positive for high levels of thallium. Medical professionals highlighted that the concentration found could only come from intentional ingestion.

Interestingly, the pair reportedly fell ill while driving with a younger sibling while out for a movie. After becoming aware of a foul odor coming from their vehicle, the victim took her car in for service, where workers discovered a suspicious storage container inside.

Investigators later speculated that the odor was likely due to hydrogen sulfide gas, a known toxin.

It’s significant to note that the victim was treated with an antidote that was transported overnight from California due to the severity of her condition.

Another victim from Dane County recounted her experiences in court, explaining her discomfort with Vandin after just two dates over a year ago. “I wasn’t his girlfriend, but they had formed this delusion that I was,” she stated, emphasizing how real their misguided motivations felt to her.

She also described becoming ill after consuming water left inside her car during a Costco shopping trip, recalling it tasted terrible.

Witnesses at the store mentioned seeing someone break into her vehicle before the authorities linked it to Vandin’s minivan, which eventually became a focal point of the investigation.

Further complicating matters, detectives uncovered unsettling text messages Vandin had sent to the victim, calling her “evil” and attempting to blame her for Whitaker’s struggles, which had culminated in Whitaker’s own tragic decision.

Authorities noted that the couple’s plot also involved tampering with the ventilation systems of one of the victim’s vehicles, supposedly by introducing powdered substances.

During a search of Vandin’s minivan, investigators discovered several glass vials alongside the toxic Rosary Peas and seed grinders at his home.

Currently, Vandin is being held on a steep bail of $10 million, while Whitaker’s bail stands at $4 million. Prosecutors have asserted that Vandin’s bail amount reflects the significant financial resources he might access, although specifics remain unclear.