Missouri woman accused of attempting to poison husband allegedly used this plant

COLE COUNTY, Mo. — A Mid-Missouri woman is accused of trying to kill her husband by poisoning his drinks and was caught on camera adding poisonous ingredients into a smoothie she allegedly prepared for her husband.

Prosecutors have charged Sarah Scheffer, 38, with two felonies – attempted first-degree murder and armed criminal action – amid the investigation.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, the victim had been suspicious that Scheffer was putting poisonous or toxic substances in his food or beverages without his knowledge for several weeks.

The victim reported at least eight occurrences to authorities in which he recalled an odd taste and ended up with extreme fatigue, nausea, blurred vision and other symptoms dating back to December 2023, per court documents.

The victim became suspicious after a drink that Scheffer prepared on New Year’s Eve. He recalled a bitter taste and some unusual symptoms the next day.

At some point later, the victim reportedly set up a concealed surveillance camera in the kitchen.

The surveillance camera caught Scheffer placing several unusual ingredients into a bowl, then a blender on Jan. 16. One substance was spotted from a bag labeled “lily of the valley,” per court documents. The mixture of substances was later deemed to be prepared as a smoothie.

Police later recovered a tumbler with the smoothie after the camera discovery. Scheffer was arrested on warrant Wednesday and admitted to adding a “lily of the valley” root to the drink, per court documents.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, all parts of the plant “lily of the valley” contain numerous cardiac glycosides, which slow down the heart and cause irregular rhythm. “Lily of the valley” is categorized as having major toxicity. It can lead to cardiac glycosides, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Scheffer is jailed in Cole County without bond with court proceedings to be determined.