Two estranged wives in separate states now face attempted murder charges after allegedly trying to poison their husbands with antifreeze during bitter custody battles, revealing a disturbing pattern that puts children at the center of deadly domestic disputes.
Story Highlights
- Kristen Hogan in Connecticut and Renee Burke in New York both charged with attempted murder via ethylene glycol poisoning
- Digital evidence including search histories and surveillance footage proved crucial in both cases
- Children served as witnesses and potential victims in these custody battle escalations
- Both cases involved unauthorized home access and repeated poisoning attempts over multiple days
Connecticut Case Exposes Calculated Poisoning Plot
Kristen Hogan’s alleged attempt to murder her estranged husband began with digital surveillance that would ultimately convict her. On August 7, Hogan’s phone connected to her husband’s Wi-Fi network, indicating unauthorized entry into his home. Three days later, her husband consumed tainted wine, developed severe symptoms, and required hospitalization. Investigation revealed Hogan had researched chemical poisoning methods online and later admitted to contaminating both wine and iced tea with ethylene glycol.
New York Mother Caught on Camera Poisoning Drinks
Renee Burke’s case demonstrated even more brazen behavior, with multiple poisoning attempts captured through surveillance footage. Between September 6-12, Burke repeatedly attempted to poison her husband’s beverages, including wine and Pepsi. The husband noticed strange tastes in his drinks, and their child reported seeing Burke add something to the father’s beverage. Surveillance cameras ultimately recorded Burke pouring antifreeze into wine bottles, leading to her arrest on September 12.
Both cases highlight how custody disputes can escalate into life-threatening situations when proper safeguards fail. The women had access to their estranged husbands’ homes through shared custody arrangements, exploiting family court provisions meant to protect children’s relationships with both parents. This access became weaponized, turning what should be protective measures into opportunities for attempted homicide.
Antifreeze Poisoning Reveals Premeditated Intent
Ethylene glycol, the active ingredient in antifreeze, represents a particularly insidious murder weapon due to its sweet taste and colorless appearance. Medical experts note that victims often don’t realize they’ve been poisoned until symptoms become severe, making detection difficult without proper medical intervention. The chemical’s accessibility in any automotive section makes it an unfortunately common choice for domestic poisoning cases, requiring no special knowledge or equipment to obtain.
Law enforcement officials emphasized the strength of digital evidence in both cases, including internet search histories documenting research into poisoning methods. This technological footprint provided prosecutors with clear evidence of premeditation, distinguishing these cases from crimes of passion. The digital trail also revealed the calculated nature of both women’s actions, undermining potential defense arguments about mental health or spontaneous behavior.
Children Bear Hidden Costs of Custody Violence
The most troubling aspect of both cases involves the children caught in these deadly custody battles. In Burke’s case, her own child witnessed and reported the poisoning attempt, forcing a minor to choose between parents in a life-or-death situation. Child protection services removed children from both households pending criminal proceedings, creating additional trauma for victims already exposed to parental violence and attempted murder.
Sources:
Poisoned husband child custody battle antifreeze wine iced tea – Turn To 10
Wife charged attempted murder allegedly poison husband antifreeze – ABC News
Poisoned husband child custody battle antifreeze wine iced tea – ABC News 4
