30s Woman Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing Husband by Feeding Food Mixed with Nicotine

Fed Husband Misutgaru Containing Nicotine Concentrate Three Times
Court: "Knew the Risk but Also Purchased Concentrate...Low Possibility of Third-Party Murder"

A woman in her 30s was sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing her husband by giving him a drink mixed with nicotine concentrate.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A woman in her 30s was sentenced to a heavy prison term for murdering her husband by making him consume a misutgaru beverage mixed with a lethal dose of nicotine concentrate to claim insurance money.

The Criminal Division 13 of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Gyu-young) sentenced A (37), who was detained and indicted on charges including murder, to 30 years in prison on the 18th.

The court stated, "The defendant maintained an extramarital relationship despite having a spouse and killed the victim, her husband, by making him consume food containing nicotine concentrate three times to handle the victim’s property and insurance money. After the crime, she took out loans in the victim’s name, which shows the heinous nature of the crime and high blameworthiness."

Furthermore, the court explained, "The cause of death was found to be acute nicotine poisoning. The victim’s nausea and chest pain after eating white porridge are typical symptoms of nicotine poisoning. The defendant requested additional concentrate when purchasing liquid nicotine and was aware that excessive intake could be life-threatening. Considering the circumstances before and after the victim’s death, the possibility of murder by a third party is low," clarifying the sentencing rationale.

It added, "The victim financially supported the defendant by repaying her loans and lived diligently by working extra part-time jobs besides his regular job to support the family. However, due to the defendant’s premeditated crime, he ended his life leaving behind his beloved son. The defendant should live in sincere repentance while being isolated from society for a long period."

Earlier, A was indicted on charges of causing B, her husband, to consume misutgaru, white porridge, and water containing nicotine concentrate exceeding the lethal dose (3.7 mg) three times between May 26 and 27 last year, leading to B’s death from nicotine poisoning.

Initially, the police believed A had made her husband consume nicotine concentrate only once. However, the prosecution found additional evidence of nicotine ingestion after B showed symptoms of poisoning, improved, then complained of pain again after eating porridge made by his wife, revealing further details of the crime.