Famous Poisoning Cases and How They Were Solved

 

 

Poisoning has been a favored method of murder for centuries, often chosen for its subtlety and difficulty to detect. However, forensic toxicologists have developed sophisticated methods to uncover these crimes, often solving cases long after the poison was administered. Below are some of the most famous poisoning cases in history, along with the forensic breakthroughs that helped solve them.

1. The Murder of Charles Bravo (1876) – The Mystery of Antimony Poisoning

The Crime:

Charles Bravo, a wealthy English barrister, died in agony at his home in London. He suffered from violent vomiting, paralysis, and severe pain before his death. Doctors were baffled by the sudden onset of symptoms, and there were no immediate signs of foul play.

How It Was Solved:

Forensic scientists at the time performed a postmortem analysis and discovered large amounts of antimony in Bravo’s stomach and intestines.

Antimony is a slow-acting poison that causes severe gastrointestinal distress before leading to organ failure.

The forensic team suspected that Bravo had been deliberately poisoned over time, leading to his deteriorating health.

The Verdict:

Despite strong suspicions against his wife, Florence Bravo, no one was convicted due to lack of direct evidence. This case remains one of England’s greatest unsolved poisoning mysteries.

Forensic Breakthrough:

This case highlighted the importance of toxicology testing in criminal investigations, even in the 19th century. It also led to a greater awareness of poisons used in domestic murders.

2. The Thallium Poisoning of Graham Young’s Victims (1962-1971) – The "Teacup Poisoner"

The Crime:

Graham Young, a British serial poisoner, became fascinated with toxicology at an early age. He began experimenting on his family, lacing their tea with thallium, a highly toxic heavy metal.

His stepmother Molly Young died after experiencing severe vomiting and convulsions.

Several of his coworkers at a chemical lab also fell mysteriously ill over the years.

How It Was Solved:

After numerous unexplained illnesses and deaths, authorities investigated Young’s background and found:

He had been previously institutionalized for poisoning his family.

Thallium was found in tea samples from his workplace.

The victims’ hair and nail samples showed traces of thallium, confirming poisoning.

The Verdict:

Graham Young was convicted of two murders and multiple attempted poisonings. He was sentenced to life imprisonment but died in prison under mysterious circumstances.

Forensic Breakthrough:

This case demonstrated the usefulness of hair analysis in detecting slow-acting poisons and set a precedent for monitoring toxicologists with a history of criminal behavior.

3. The Polonium-210 Assassination of Alexander Litvinenko (2006) – A Radioactive Murder

The Crime:

Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko fell critically ill after meeting with two Russian operatives at a London hotel. He developed severe nausea, hair loss, and organ failure within days.

How It Was Solved:

Initial toxicology tests found no common poisons, but forensic experts suspected radiation poisoning.

Urine samples were tested using gamma spectroscopy, revealing high levels of polonium-210, a rare and highly radioactive substance.

Investigators traced radiation contamination to a teapot at the Millennium Hotel, where Litvinenko had met the operatives.

Surveillance footage and travel records linked the poisoning to two Russian agents, Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun.

The Verdict:

Litvinenko’s death was officially ruled a state-sponsored assassination, though the Russian government denied involvement. The case led to diplomatic tensions between the UK and Russia.

Forensic Breakthrough:

This was one of the first murders confirmed to involve radioactive poisoning, proving the capability of forensic toxicology in identifying exotic assassination methods.

4. The Cyanide-Laced Tylenol Murders (1982) – A Mass Poisoning Mystery

The Crime:

In September 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after consuming Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide. The victims collapsed within minutes of ingestion.

How It Was Solved:

Authorities launched an immediate investigation:

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed lethal doses of cyanide in the Tylenol capsules.

The capsules had been tampered with after manufacturing, indicating a local contamination rather than a production defect.

Bottles were recalled, and safety seals were introduced in medicine packaging as a direct result.

The Verdict:

The perpetrator was never identified, but the case remains one of the most infamous product tampering crimes in history.

Forensic Breakthrough:

This case led to major reforms in drug packaging, including tamper-proof seals and stricter manufacturing oversight.

5. The Arsenic Poisoning of Mary Ann Cotton’s Family (1860s-1873) – Britain’s First Serial Killer?

The Crime:

Mary Ann Cotton, a British woman, married multiple times, and each of her husbands and children died under mysterious circumstances. She collected life insurance payments after each death.

How It Was Solved:

When authorities grew suspicious, they exhumed the bodies of her last husband and three children.

Autopsy results revealed high levels of arsenic in their tissues.

The toxicology report confirmed poisoning through contaminated tea and food.

The Verdict:

Mary Ann Cotton was convicted of murder and hanged in 1873. She is considered one of Britain’s first recorded female serial killers.

Forensic Breakthrough:

This case highlighted the power of exhumation and postmortem toxicology testing in solving historical poisoning cases.

References & Further Reading

1. Baselt, R. C. (2017). Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. Biomedical Publications.

2. Harkup, K. (2015). A Is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie. Bloomsbury.

3. Smith, F. P. (2009). Handbook of Forensic Toxicology for Medical Examiners. CRC Press.

4. The Guardian (2006). Litvinenko Poisoning Investigation.

5. The Chicago Tribune (1982). Tylenol Murders Investigation Report.

Conclusion

Poisoning cases are among the most challenging to detect, but forensic toxicologists continue to refine their methods, ensuring that even the most cunning criminals leave a trace. From ancient arsenic poisonings to modern radioactive assassinations, these cases illustrate how science has revolutionized criminal investigations.