Love Turned to Hatred? Taiwanese Woman Sentenced to 11 Years and 2 Months for Attempted Murder After Poisoning Australian Boyfriend Three Times with Rat Poison in Juice

Yang Chin-ping (50), a Taiwanese woman, developed a relationship with Alex Shorey (23), an Australian exchange student in Taiwan during 2023. Although they were not officially dating, they lived together in an open relationship. In early 2023, Shorey decided to return to Australia in April instead of September as originally planned. Learning of his departure, Yang allegedly began plotting to stop him.

On March 24, 2023, Yang mixed Bromadiolone—a super warfarin-type rodenticide that disrupts blood clotting in mammals—into grape juice and gave it to Shorey during a meal. This marked the first of three alleged poisoning incidents. Prosecutors argued that Yang, who referred to Shorey as her "young lover," was emotionally devastated by the prospect of separation and resorted to extreme measures to keep him in Taiwan.

Shorey fell severely ill and was hospitalized. While caring for him, Yang allegedly administered the poison a second time. Prosecutors highlighted the cruelty of her actions, stating, "What she wanted to keep was not his love—but his life." The case came to light when Shorey’s parents traveled from Australia to visit him and discovered empty rat poison containers at Yang’s residence. They reported their suspicions, prompting an investigation by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

By late 2024, prosecutors indicted Yang on charges of attempted murder. During the trial at Taipei District Court, Yang denied all charges, insisting, "I did not poison him! I did not!" When questioned on key points, she repeatedly claimed, "I don’t remember." Prosecutors cited jealousy over suspected infidelity as a motive and referenced the infamous 'Serpent Man of New Taipei' case to emphasize the severity of her actions, requesting a 12-year sentence.

In its verdict delivered on May 22, the court acknowledged Yang’s motive stemmed from Shorey’s plan to leave Taiwan. It criticized her lack of remorse, noting she consistently denied wrongdoing and changed her statements during police and prosecutorial interviews. The court found no evidence of genuine repentance or efforts to comfort the victim, resulting in a sentence of 11 years and 2 months for attempted murder. The ruling is subject to appeal.