Stanford Grad student poisoning case is now being faced by a 26-year-old graduate student from Singapore studying Cancer Biology.
The Stanford Grad Student Poisoning suspect, Xiangyu Ouyang is charged with four counts of poisoning after she deliberately spiked her classmates' water bottles with paraformaldehyde. She may claim not guilty for degree of insanity.
According to the court documents, the Stanford Grad Student Poisoning incident started around September 2014 when students conducting stem research in the Lorry Lokey Building near the Stanford Medical Center noticed smell of paraformaldehyde on water bottles that they had drank in the laboratory, the 6ABC reported.
The incident had brought four students complain of burning sensation on their mouth and throat. An unsigned campus publication, Fountain Hopper published the criminal complaint showing one of the victims' complaints.
The complainant stated to police that she "immediately experienced a burning sensation in her mouth and throat. Her eyes became irritated and watery. She began salivating uncontrollably. Her throat was burning so bad that she could not even swallow the water."
The Stanford Grad Student Poisoning affected four students who were working with Ouyang in that time on the research. Another student also complained the same symptoms while one reported that her stemmed cultures were dead.
Their suspicion became greater when they spotted through the security camera Ouyang in other stem cell incubators where she was not assigned.
In November, authorities started investigating Ouyang who was on that time was admitted in hospital for her mental problem, INQUISITR reported. The 26-year-old Stanford Grad Student was on a psychiatric hold.
After release from the hospital, PEOPLE reported that Ouyang admitted guilty for the Stanford Grad Student Poisoning incident, but later said that it was a sign to cry for help. She added she drank the same content of the toxic substance in her water, but had no effect on her.
"I am truly sorry for what happened, but I really didn't mean to harm people," Ouyang told police. "It was me crying out for help."
Police arrested Ouyang for the Stanford Grad Student Poisoning incident for four counts of poisoning on November 16.
According to the university spokeswoman, Lisa Lapin, Ouyang was dismissed and no longer connected with the university. In an email, she wrote, the Stanford Grad Student Poisoning incident was "heartbreaking" and that it was an "isolated" case. The university assured continued support to the students affected.
Paraformaldehyde is used for decontaminating sickrooms, laboratories, utensils, clothing and linen. However, it can be toxic in fume state and is carcinogen.
The Stanford Grad Student Poisoning case is still being heard in court while the suspect Ouyang is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. She was reported to claim for not guilty plea for reasons of insanity. Ouyang is scheduled to face her next hearing on May 15.
