DA: Holbrook woman tried to poison husband with antifreeze

A Holbrook woman tried to kill her estranged husband by poisoning his drinks with antifreeze, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Sini.

News 12 Staff

Jan 3, 2019, 8:20 PM

Updated 1,947 days ago

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A Holbrook woman tried to kill her estranged husband by poisoning his drinks with antifreeze, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Sini.
In September, authorities say Renee Burke, 40, entered her husband's apartment on at least three separate occasions and poured a pink liquid into beverage bottles that included wine and soda. Prosecutors say the liquid was Prestone antifreeze.
Authorities say Burke and her husband are locked in a bitter custody battle over their two children, an 8-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy. The husband currently has primary custody of the kids.
Burke is also accused of using a child's bottle to conceal the liquid, as well as allegedly having the young girl open the bottle of wine.
Prosecutors say Burke researched the chemical online and that they have surveillance video of Burke committing the crime. There's also an eyewitness account from the 4-year-old son.
"The child essentially provided information to the baby sitter that mommy had put something in daddy's drink," Sini says.
Burke's husband was not hurt. Each time he allegedly drank the antifreeze, prosecutors say he noticed a chemical taste and spat out the drink.
Burke is charged with attempted murder. If convicted, she could spend up to 25 years in prison.


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