A Chinese graduate student studying microbiology in Wyoming has been taken into custody for allegedly poisoning a fellow student’s tea, who was working on patented research, and attempting to leave the U.S. after being questioned by the authorities. Aili Wang, aged 32, was apprehended at the Los Angeles International Airport on October 6 as she was reportedly planning to return to China. She was found in possession of multiple laptops, electronic devices, and documents that are now being examined by the police.
According to investigators, surveillance footage showed Wang searching through the desk of the victim, who was involved in disease treatment technology research, a field similar to Wang’s previous work in China. Wang is currently being held in detention in Los Angeles without bail as of Tuesday.
The poisoning incident came to light when the victim’s wife and others detected a strange substance in the water from his coffee maker. The victim’s professor, Mark Gomelsky, expressed shock at the allegations and concerns over the victim’s recovery. Wang, who has not retained legal representation, has not responded to attempts to contact her.
The investigation began after the victim, identified as K.T., started experiencing symptoms, leading his wife and others to identify the substance acrylamide in the coffee maker’s water. Surveillance cameras were then installed in the shared office space of K.T. and Wang at the university in Laramie, Wyo. Wang was captured on video going through K.T.’s desk and manipulating items on his desk, leading to her arrest.
It was revealed that Wang and the victim did not have a good relationship, and Wang had purchased acrylamide online before asking eBay to delete her account. Acrylamide, a hazardous substance used in microbiology research, was found in the sample from the coffee maker, raising suspicions of foul play.
Gomelsky mentioned that Wang seemed envious of the victim’s success in research and had failed in her dissertation defense before the events unfolded. The victim’s health deteriorated after attending a conference, and he reported strange tastes in his tea, leading to the discovery of acrylamide in the water. The victim is still experiencing symptoms from the poisoning, with doubts about his full recovery.
Wang faces a serious charge of felony aggravated assault and battery in Wyoming, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The extradition process is ongoing, with bond set at $1.5 million in cash only upon her return to the state.