Aconite poisoning attack: woman from Velbert on trial at Wuppertal regional court
Silke F. (59) is alleged to have laced her still-husband's favourite dish with deadly plant poison. She went on trial in Wuppertal today.
Beans with bacon as the weapon – trial in attempted poisoning murder begins in Wuppertal
The trial against Silke F. (59) from Velbert began on Tuesday at the Wuppertal regional court. The prosecution alleges that she poisoned her still-husband Detlef F. (57) with the plant toxin aconite on 6 November 2025 – mixed into his favourite dish: white beans with bacon.
According to BILD, Silke F. apparently cooked two pots that day: one for herself, one poisoned for her husband. "I know you like that," she is said to have told him. Detlef F. ate the meal unsuspectingly – and noticed the first symptoms shortly afterwards. "I soon felt odd, my tongue was still completely numb, my mouth dried out," he told BILD. This was followed by heart palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain.
His new girlfriend alerted the emergency services. An ambulance brought Detlef F., showing severe symptoms of poisoning, to Velbert-Niederberg Hospital. There, doctors put him into an artificial coma – he was in danger of his life. "I thought I had to die. I said goodbye to my girlfriend," he said. After stomach pumping, he was stabilised. The subsequent examination of his stomach contents revealed: aconite, the highly toxic active ingredient of blue aconite – the most poisonous plant in Europe.
Silke F. was arrested on 27 November. She has been in custody since then on suspicion of attempted murder.
Co-defendant allegedly assisted via WhatsApp
In addition to Silke F., her friend Heidi (60) from Fürth in Franconia is also on trial. She is said to have supported the murder plot, helped acquire poisonous plants and given advice via WhatsApp.
Widow's pension as alleged motive
After approximately 20 years together, Detlef F. separated from his wife and initiated divorce proceedings. He already had a new partner. According to investigators, Silke F. feared financial losses in the event of a divorce. She apparently had her sights set on a widow's pension – according to BILD information, this would have been approximately 300 to 400 euros per month for the casual worker.
Source: BILD