The world's most shocking murders by poison

(Baonghean.vn) - The world has recorded many murder cases using toxic chemicals to make the investigation process difficult. Let's review the most notable cases with Nghe An Newspaper.

1. Cold-blooded killer and cyanide

Assassin Richard 'The Iceman' Kuklinski was fond of using cyanide.

Notorious serial killer Richard “Iceman” Kuklinski admitted to killing hundreds of people. Kuklinski admitted that his favorite weapon was poisoning his victims with cyanide. This deadly poison prevents cells from receiving oxygen, causing the victim to suffer respiratory or heart failure.

Kuklinski said he killed many of his victims by spraying poison on their faces. Traces of the poison would disappear after a few days, making it impossible for investigators to determine the exact cause of death.

Kuklinski first used cyanide when he murdered a member of Lt. Bonanno’s family at a New York disco. He wore a mask, held a syringe filled with cyanide, and stabbed his target on the dance floor. The victim died instantly, before Kuklinski fled the scene.

Kuklinski was charged with five counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in October 2005 at the age of 70.

2. Radiation poisoningPolonium-210

Former Russian FSB spy Alexander Litvinenko before and after radiation poisoning. Photo: AP.

In November 2006, former Russian spy Alexander Livinenko was allegedly assassinated by Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun. The two spies lured Livinenko to the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London. There, Litvinenko drank a cup of tea containing polonium-210. According to research, this radioactive element is 250 billion times more toxic than liquid cyanide.

Polonium-210 works differently than cyanide, so it does not kill the victim immediately but slowly destroys the body, and nothing can stop it. It is estimated that only 5 grams of plutonium is enough to poison all of humanity.

Predicted to live for 138 days, Litvinenko died in November. Once absorbed, the radioactive substance quickly spreads throughout the body, stealing electrons from any molecule it encounters, breaking chemical bonds in living cells, causing them to die.

The 44-year-old former spy was diagnosed with radiation poisoning, with initial symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss and a weakened immune system. Litvinenko died three weeks later, after radiation spread to his bone marrow, damaging his internal organs.

Litvinenko’s autopsy was one of the “most dangerous” jobs in the West, said researcher Nathaniel Cary, with experts wearing double-layered protective suits, gloves, helmets and their own oxygen supply systems during the entire process.

3. Sarin gas attack in Tokyo

Medical staff treat victims of a poison gas attack at a Tokyo subway station in 1995. Photo: Kyodo

Nearly 22 years ago, a terrorist attack in Japan killed 13 people and left 6,000 others suffering from the paralyzing nerve gas sarin.

On March 20, 1995, attackers placed plastic bags containing liquid sarin on subway trains during rush hour. The attacks took place simultaneously at five locations and were carried out by followers of the Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth) cult.

Developed by Nazi Germany in the 1930s, sarin is a clear, colorless, odorless, tasteless liquid that evaporates into a gas. Once inhaled into the lungs or absorbed through the skin, the gas paralyzes the muscles, central nervous system, and eventually causes death by suffocation.

Those lucky enough to receive prompt treatment, although their lives are saved, may still suffer permanent damage to their lungs, eyes, and nervous system. These are the pains that victims of the Tokyo subway terrorist attack 22 years ago still suffer today.

4. The mysterious death of Putin's bodyguard

Roman Tsepov.

While most poisoning murders are confirmed, this is not always the case. Former bodyguard to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Roman Tsepov, was mysteriously murdered after consuming food and drink. After a trip to Moscow, Tsepov was hospitalized and died three weeks later.

Dr. Pyotr Pirumov said he had never seen a case like Tsepov's. “He was poisoned as if he wasn't poisoned… It was like his immune system suddenly stopped working.”

An autopsy revealed that radioactive material was used in the murder. Other sources say it was a drug used to treat leukemia. However, the exact cause of death was never determined.

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)