Wisconsin Couple Charged in Cyanide Plot, Investigators Hospitalized

Paul VanDuyne Jr. and Andrea Whitaker, a Wisconsin couple, have been charged with plotting to kill VanDuyne's ex-girlfriends by poisoning their water bottles with cyanide and other toxins. VanDuyne allegedly broke into one victim's car in a Middleton Costco parking lot and contaminated her water bottle, which was later confirmed to contain cyanide after the victim noticed a strange taste and brought it to police. Around the same time, another woman in Rock County was hospitalized after drinking cyanide-tainted water found in her car. Investigators monitoring the case suffered poisoning symptoms, leading to hospitalizations of at least seven state agents. While in jail, VanDuyne attempted to have Whitaker remove evidence from his home, and authorities found messages between the couple discussing various poisons. Both face multiple charges including attempted homicide, aggravated battery, stalking, and reckless endangerment related to their alleged scheme.