An Illinois man hoped to receive $20 million in life insurance money after killing his wife with toxin from the puffer fish, federal authorities alleged last week (see GSN, Sept. 3, 2008).
Edward Bachner IV was charged last year with the illicit purchase of tetrodotoxin, a substance 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide. Investigators at the time discovered syringes, needles and a book on poisoning at his home near Chicago, the Associated Press reported.
In a superseding indictment, federal prosecutors this month stated that Bachner made a wire transfer of nearly $40,000 in February 2008 to buy a $20 million life insurance policy from a California company. His intent was to kill his wife, Rebecca, the indictment indicates (Associated Press I/Straits Times, June 17).
Bachner ordered 98 milligrams of the toxin, according to court records. It takes just four milligrams to kill a person, authorities stated.
Bachner last week pleaded not guilty to all charges filed against him, which also include lying to the International Revenue Service in order to reap an income tax refund he was not owed, AP reported (Associated Press II/Chicagobreakingnews.com, June 18).