Wyoming graduate student arrested for allegedly poisoning colleague

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 09:14 · Archive

A Chinese microbiology graduate student was arrested at Los Angeles airport after allegedly poisoning a colleague's tea with a chemical purchased online.

Aili Wang, 32, a Wyoming microbiology graduate student from China, was arrested on 6 October at Los Angeles International Airport. Prosecutors allege she poisoned the tea of a colleague with whom she did not get along, then sought to return to China when questioned by police. Wang was detained without bail.

Prosecutors say Wang purchased acrylamide, a chemical, online and used it to poison the victim's beverage. The chemical was detected when the victim's wife and others tested water from the coffee maker he used to brew tea. Surveillance video allegedly shows Wang rummaging through the desk of the victim, who specialised in technology for disease treatment—research similar to work she had conducted in China.

Wang was found with laptops, electronic storage devices and documents when arrested. Mark Gomelsky, the microbiology professor overseeing both students, told the Associated Press he was shocked by the accusations. 'It's been disheartening, to say the least, to see that one of your student's life is in jeopardy and another student may be responsible for that,' Gomelsky said. He was uncertain whether the victim would fully recover. Wang had no attorney listed in court documents.

How it is being reported

• Wyoming grad student accused of poisoning a colleague, arrested fleeing to ChinaShe allegedly bought a chemical, acrylamide, over eBay, and it was first detected when the alleged victim’s wife and others tested water from the coffee maker he used to brew tea.New York Post · 14 Oct, 08:38
• Graduate student accused of poisoning colleague and trying to flee to China arrested at LAXMicrobiologist Aili Wang, 32, poisoned tea of colleague in Wyoming who had pending patents, prosecutors allege A Wyoming microbiology graduate student from China has been arrested on accusations she poisoned the tea of a colleague who had pending patents and with whom she did not get along, then tried to flee the country after police questioned her. Aili Wang, 32, was arrested 6 October at Los Angeles international airport, where prosecutors allege she sought to return to China. With her were laptops, electronic storage devices and documents now in the possession of police, who allege Wang…The Guardian · 14 Oct, 01:53

In this story: Aili Wang · Mark Gomelsky · Wyoming · Los Angeles International Airport · China

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