West Auckland woman guilty of poisoning mother's tea with weedkiller
A 51-year-old woman confessed to mixing herbicide into her elderly mother's tea. She also deliberately set three fires in their home.
A West Auckland woman pleaded guilty to poisoning her elderly mother. She also pleaded guilty to arson.
On June 28 at 8:30am, the 51-year-old mixed Round Up weedkiller into tea. She brought it to her 83-year-old mother's bedside.
The mother drank one sip before noticing an odd smell and taste. Glyphosate, the active chemical in the herbicide, was later found in her system.
But the single sip caused no serious injury. Later that morning, after a verbal altercation, the woman set three fires.
She used matches, paper and accelerant. One caused moderate damage to the lounge.
She told police she wanted her mother "out of her life". She called the burning an "act of revenge".
The woman has schizophrenia. She has been on medication for 20 years.
She remains in custody pending sentencing in February.
- 83
- Mother's age
- 51
- Woman's age
- June 28 at 8:30am
- Date of poisoning attempt
- 3
- Fires deliberately set
Why it mattersA woman with schizophrenia poisoned her mother's tea with weedkiller and set fires in their home. These were calculated acts against her family. She is medicated.
AustraliaWhile the crime occurred in New Zealand, it reflects domestic violence and mental health risks Australian families face, underlining the need for better monitoring and support.
Corroborated byThe Nightly
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
