'Mad' wife accused of spiking husband's Mountain Dew with weed killer in Missouri

LEBANON, Mo. (KOLR) — A Missouri woman is accused of putting weed killer and insecticide in her husband's Mountain Dew because she was "mad" at him.

Michelle Peters, 47, is accused of first-degree assault and armed criminal action after her husband turned over video footage to police indicating that she tampered with his drinks.

On June 24, her husband, whom authorities did not name, told the Laclede County Sheriff's Office that he suspected Peters was spiking his soda. He had several videos of her handling Mountain Dew and Roundup weed killer at the same time, a probable cause affidavit stated.

Around May 1, her husband noticed that his two liters of Diet Mountain Dew had a strange taste. He continued to drink them anyway. After a couple weeks, he started having symptoms of a sore throat, coughing up mucus, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

He told Peters that he was sick, and she allegedly told him that he probably had COVID-19 and to stay away from their grandkids. He told police he suspected that Peters was going after his $500,000 life insurance policy.

When a detective questioned Peters, she initially said that she mixed the soda and Roundup to use as a weed killer, a recipe that she claims to have found on Pinterest. She also admitted to putting insecticide in the Mountain Dew and placing the soda back in their garage refrigerator, according to the affidavit.

"The victim was the only one in the household who drank Mountain Dew, kept in that refrigerator," the Laclede County Sheriff's Office said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Peters then told the detective that "she should have just divorced" her husband. She said he was selfish, and they were having relationship issues.

After authorities told her that she was under arrest, Peters said that she was upset with her husband because she had thrown him a 50th birthday party, and he was unappreciative. She then admitted to putting chemicals in the Mountain Dew to be "mean" to him, the affidavit read.

The chemical glyphosate, which is found in Roundup, can cause increased saliva, burns, pain in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or even death if consumed.

Peters is being held at the Laclede County Detention Center with no bond. Her next court hearing is scheduled for July 2.