Trending

Elderly New York woman accused of lacing husband’s coffee with roach killer

QUEENS, N.Y. — An elderly New York woman has been charged after authorities said she repeatedly poisoned her husband by lacing his coffee with ant and roach killer.

Suncha Tinevra, 70, of Queens, is charged with attempted assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office.

“Domestic violence is not limited to mental and physical abuse,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “The defendant in this case allegedly used deception to sicken her spouse. The victim did become sick, but thankfully did not die.”

>> Read more trending news

According to the charges, a security camera on Jan. 12 captured footage of Tinevra “squeezing a white powdery substance from a bottle with a red cap and yellow label” into her husband’s coffee. She did so on “two or three” occasions, replacing the bottle under her sink each time, prosecutors said.

Her husband was soon sickened.

Two days later, detectives investigating his illness found what appeared to be the bottle from the footage under the couple’s sink.

“The label indicated that the contents were 100 percent boric acid and (are) used to kill ants and roaches,” Katz’s statement said.

>> Read more true crime stories

According to the Mount Sinai Health System, boric acid is a caustic chemical that, when in contact with skin or other body tissue, can cause significant chemical burns. When swallowed, it can cause drowsiness, seizures, coma and neurological issues.

Tinevra was arraigned Friday, The Associated Press reported. If convicted of the charges, she could face up to four years in prison.