Context:

A Wisconsin couple, Paul VanDuyne Jr. and Andrea Whitaker, were charged with attempted murder, stalking, and other offenses after allegedly plotting to poison two women VanDuyne had previously dated. The investigation began when one of the women experienced symptoms of poisoning, leading authorities to discover thallium and cyanide in her water bottle and car. Evidence tied VanDuyne and Whitaker to attempts to poison another woman by tampering with her car and water. Police found chemicals, rosary peas, and other incriminating materials during a search of VanDuyne's home and vehicle. Both suspects were arrested, and court proceedings are ongoing, with one victim expressing fear for her safety and that of her children.

Dive Deeper:

• Paul VanDuyne Jr. and Andrea Whitaker were charged with multiple crimes, including attempted murder, after a plot to poison two women using cyanide and homemade poisons was uncovered. Authorities discovered the plot following a hospital report of poisoning symptoms experienced by one of the women.

• One victim began noticing signs of poisoning, including a rancid taste in her water bottle and severe abdominal pain, leading to the discovery of thallium in her system. Thallium, a tasteless and odorless toxin, was found in her gym water bottle along with cyanide.

• The victim's mother reported suspicious incidents involving a sulfur smell and a sand-like substance in the car, which was identified as abrin, a lethal toxin from rosary pea seeds. Investigators linked the poisoning to VanDuyne, whom the victim had dated casually two years prior.

• Another woman reported her car being tampered with at a Costco, where VanDuyne was seen rummaging through her car. Her water tasted awful, causing numbness, and further attempts were made to break into her car.

• A search of VanDuyne's home and minivan revealed glass vials, rosary peas, a seed grinder, and other evidence of poison production. Calls from jail revealed VanDuyne instructing Whitaker to remove incriminating items from his home, leading to her arrest.

• Both VanDuyne and Whitaker are being held in Dane County Jail, and victims have expressed fear for their safety. Court hearings are scheduled for July and August, while the district attorney remains tight-lipped about the ongoing case.

• One victim mentioned receiving accusatory texts from VanDuyne blaming her for his girlfriend's alleged suicide, although the girlfriend, identified as Whitaker, is alive. This behavior contributed to the investigation and charges against the couple.