Amanda Alicia Chapin, a Wisconsin woman, poisoned her 71-year-old veterinarian husband, Gary Chapin, shortly after their wedding, spiking his coffee with animal euthanasia drugs multiple times. She ultimately put him in a coma, resulting in a charge of felony first-degree reckless endangering the safety of her husband. The charge was downgraded from first-degree attempted homicide in a plea deal with Lafayette County prosecutors. Chapin stole barbiturates from her husband and put them in his coffee three times between July and August of 2022. She also forged a power of attorney document and insisted on amending the deed to his house to be the sole homeowner in the event of his death.
Chapin met her 70-year-old husband online, and their relationship was described as stormy from the beginning, with suspicions from his family that he was just a “sugar daddy” for her. The third and final dose of drugs Chapin put in her husband’s coffee resulted in him falling into a four-day coma. The drugs found in his system were the same ones used to euthanize animals. After he wouldn’t wake up, Chapin reportedly waited three hours to call 911. Prosecutors stated that she then logged into his personal email and began forwarding herself conversations with his attorney and children. Gary Chapin’s son filed a restraining order against Amanda, suspecting her of causing his father’s medical emergency before the drugs were discovered.
Chapin violated the restraining order by emailing her husband a suicide note, stating that she decided to kill herself because his children were trying to destroy her. She was taken to a local hospital the next day, and Gary Chapin filed for divorce. The presentencing investigation was ordered, and Chapin’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for July 15. She faces a maximum of 12.5 years in a state correctional facility for her actions. The criminal complaint details Chapin’s actions, including her email communications with her husband and attitudes towards his family.
The case of Amanda Chapin poisoning her husband with animal euthanasia drugs serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of toxic relationships and manipulation. Her actions, including forging documents and attempting to alter property deeds, reveal a disturbing level of premeditation and deceit. The impact on Gary Chapin and his family, including his son’s suspicions and subsequent legal actions, highlights the devastating consequences of Chapin’s actions. Her attempt to evade responsibility through a suicide note further complicates the narrative, adding a layer of psychological distress to an already disturbing situation.
The legal proceedings in this case, from the initial charge of felony first-degree reckless endangerment to the plea deal and sentencing hearing, demonstrate the complexities of navigating the justice system in cases of domestic violence and criminal behavior. The involvement of law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judicial system in holding Chapin accountable for her actions sheds light on the importance of pursuing justice and protecting victims of manipulation and abuse. The sentencing hearing on July 15 will mark a crucial moment in determining the consequences for Chapin’s criminal behavior and the justice served for Gary Chapin and his family.
