GLASTONBURY, CT – A Connecticut woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she tried to poison her estranged husband’s drinks with a toxic chemical commonly found in antifreeze during a contentious custody dispute.
Kristen Hogan, 33, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of interfering with an officer following an investigation by Connecticut State Police. According to an arrest affidavit, Hogan allegedly poured ethylene glycol into bottles of her husband’s wine and iced tea over the summer.
The alleged poisoning came to light after the man, whose name officials have not released, was hospitalized on August 11. He became violently ill hours after consuming a small amount of red wine, which he had stored in his refrigerator since August 5. The man told investigators he suspected foul play, since Hogan was the only other person with access to his home while he attended a court hearing related to their custody case.
Documents state the man’s mother rushed him to the hospital after finding him disoriented, vomiting, and unable to walk properly. Emergency room doctors initially thought he was suffering a stroke, but quickly determined his symptoms were more consistent with ethylene glycol poisoning. The man was placed on dialysis to counteract the effects of the toxin.
Investigators began examining possible motives, learning that Hogan and the victim were locked in a bitter dispute over custody of their child. The victim alleged that Hogan stood to gain full ownership of the family home and sole parental rights if he died, according to court filings.
Cellphone records reviewed by detectives revealed that Hogan had performed internet searches for various toxic chemicals, including “potassium cyanide,” “monoethylene glycol,” and queries asking how much would be lethal. When questioned, Hogan initially denied any involvement and offered conflicting explanations for her online research, at one point claiming curiosity sparked by a television show.
Hogan later admitted to acquiring monoethylene glycol in July, telling police she used the chemical to clean a carpet at her mother’s house. Eventually, investigators say she confessed to spiking her husband’s wine, though she insisted it was a small quantity. She described pouring the substance into a nearly full red wine bottle while inside the home.
Testing by authorities confirmed both the wine and a bottle of iced tea inside the residence contained ethylene glycol. Investigators believe the iced tea was adulterated on a separate date from the tainted wine.
Concerns escalated after the couple’s child was briefly hospitalized in September with symptoms that resembled those seen in the victim, following an incident where the child reportedly drank from the same tainted wine bottle. When questioned about the child’s illness, Hogan denied the boy could have ingested the chemical, telling police she only targeted her husband’s wine and iced tea and that nobody else was aware of her actions.
During interviews, Hogan reportedly said she never intended to kill her husband but only wanted to make him sick “as payback” for what she characterized as emotional mistreatment. Authorities say her statements and the evidence collected paint a disturbing picture of revenge and alleged premeditation.
Hogan is currently being held on bond while she awaits her next court appearance. Police have reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat related to the case. The investigation remains open as authorities continue to gather further details.