LAHORE: A tragic poisoning case in Lahore’s Valencia Town has taken a new turn as police arrested two more suspects while investigating the deaths of a Pakistani-American woman and her three children.
Authorities say the investigation has uncovered details about the alleged purchase and delivery of potassium cyanide used in the incident.
According to police, the woman allegedly mixed potassium cyanide into ice cream before feeding it to her three children and consuming it herself on July 16 in Lahore’s Kahna area. The family, which had recently moved from the United States, was living in a rented house in Valencia Town.
Police said investigators believe the woman had been experiencing mental health issues and had searched online for methods of ending her life before obtaining the chemical.
DIG Investigations Lahore Syed Zeeshan Raza said the woman had repeatedly searched online for ways to end her life before contacting an online chemical supplier.
According to Raza, she paid Rs138,540 through MoneyGram to obtain potassium cyanide. Police said the payment record helped investigators reconstruct her actions in the days leading up to the deaths.
Authorities said the chemical parcel was not delivered directly to the woman’s home. Instead, it was first sent to a friend’s residence, where the woman later collected it from the friend at a private pizza outlet.
Police said she then returned home and allegedly mixed the chemical into ice cream before giving it to her children.
Police said the woman also attempted to offer the poisoned ice cream to her husband, Nasir, but he did not consume it.
Investigators later conducted a polygraph test on Nasir as part of the inquiry into the incident. Police have not named him as a suspect in the case.
Authorities have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the case, including the owner of a chemical shop allegedly involved in selling such substances online and a delivery rider who handled the parcel.
DIG Investigations Lahore said police used CCTV footage and forensic evidence to trace and arrest the suspects.
He added that police, in coordination with prosecutors, would prepare a strong challan to ensure that those found responsible face legal proceedings.
Police said the investigation is ongoing as authorities examine all aspects of the case, including the alleged supply chain of the chemical and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The incident has raised concerns over access to hazardous substances through online channels, with authorities focusing on preventing similar cases in the future.
