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Two Women Held in Custody in Velbert Over Alleged Aconitine Poisoning of Estranged Husband

Toxicology confirmation of aconitine in the victim’s samples prompted arrests.

Overview

  • Police arrested a 59-year-old Velbert woman on November 27 on suspicion of attempted murder after presenting her to a judge, and she is now in pretrial detention.
  • A 59-year-old woman from Bavaria was also arrested under a warrant on suspicion of aiding the act and is being held in custody.
  • Investigators report the 56-year-old man became critically ill overnight on November 8 after eating beans with bacon prepared by his estranged wife, was placed in an induced coma, and later discharged in stable condition.
  • Labor analyses detected aconitine in the victim’s stomach contents, blood, and the leftover meal, identifying the potent alkaloid derived from monkshood that can be lethal in small amounts.
  • A Düsseldorf-led homicide commission conducted searches and phone-data evaluations, and police say they received a tip that the wife had previously threatened to poison the husband.