A Deadly Cocktail - Part 2 (David Castor)
How investigators uncovered antifreeze poisoning and staged evidence
In this chilling two-part case study, prosecutors and detectives pieced together an elaborate plan in which a woman allegedly poisoned two husbands with ethylene glycol and attempted to frame her own daughter for the crimes. The investigation combined traditional autopsy work with modern forensic techniques, wiretap recordings, and document analysis to expose a staged suicide and a near-fatal attempt to silence a potential witness.
Antifreeze poisoning revealed after targeted exhumation
Medical examiners reexamined a previously buried body after suspicious parallels emerged. Exhumation confirmed ethylene glycol poisoning in the first husband, establishing a pattern that investigators used to challenge the initial ruling on the second death. The recurring use of antifreeze connected two unexplained deaths across years.
Wiretap evidence and forensic printing link a confession to the suspect
Prosecutors obtained a wiretap that captured the suspect typing at the exact time a lengthy, typewritten “suicide” confession was first drafted. Forensic analysts also identified a unique printer defect that matched the note to the suspect’s home, while a recovered draft and timestamp reinforced the link between the typed confession and the accused.
Physical evidence and toxicology build a circumstantial but compelling narrative
- Turkey baster DNA and fingerprints: DNA found on a turkey baster and the suspect’s fingerprints on an antifreeze glass placed her at the scene.
- Toxicology of the nearly killed daughter: A hospital screen showed multiple powerful drugs the daughter never voluntarily ingested.
- Unique details in the forged note: The confession referenced rat poison, a fact unknown to investigators before testing confirmed its presence.
Trial strategy and the choice to present prior deaths
Because the crimes shared a distinct modus operandi, the prosecution successfully argued to admit evidence from the earlier poisoning. The strategy narrowed the suspect pool to two people and allowed prosecutors to present a complete narrative, culminating in convictions for murder, attempted murder, and forgery.
The episode highlights how combining exhumation results, toxicology, document forensics, and recorded behavior can transform circumstantial pieces into a unified, persuasive case. It also explores the devastating human consequences for survivors who must rebuild life after betrayal by a parent.
Insights
- Corroborate physical, documentary, and electronic evidence to convert circumstantial facts into a cohesive narrative for jurors.
- Use exhumation and advanced toxicology testing when patterns suggest repeated poisoning across cases.
- Compare unique printer or device defects to link typewritten documents directly to a suspect's environment.
- Introduce a credible, surviving witness early to anchor the prosecution's timeline and refute defense theories.
- Seek admission of related prior incidents when the perpetrator’s method is unusually specific and probative.
FAQ
How did investigators prove the suicide note was authored at the suspect's house?
A wiretap recorded keyboard clicks at the time a first draft was typed, and forensic analysts matched a printer defect to the household printer.
What forensic evidence tied the suspect to the poisoning of her husband?
Prosecutors presented the suspect's fingerprints on an antifreeze glass and the victim's DNA on a turkey baster tip found at the scene.
Why was the exhumation of the first husband important to the case?
Exhumation confirmed ethylene glycol poisoning, establishing a distinct pattern linking both husbands' deaths to the same method.
What role did toxicology play in proving the attempted murder of the daughter?
Hospital toxicology revealed a dangerous combination of powerful drugs and alcohol that the daughter did not knowingly ingest, supporting the claim she was drugged.
