In a jaw-dropping incident that underscores the disintegration of family values and societal norms, a Missouri esthetician has been accused of poisoning her husband with weed killer after he failed to show appreciation for his 50th birthday party. Michelle Y. Peters, 47, of Lebanon, was arrested on Monday and faces charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, according to court documents reviewed by The Post.
The details of this case are as unsettling as they are bizarre. Peters, during her interview with authorities, reportedly admitted to wanting to be “mean” to her husband due to his lack of gratitude for the birthday celebration she organized. This alarming revelation came after her husband—whose name has been redacted from documents—contacted the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office, suspecting his wife of poisoning him.
The husband’s suspicions began around May 1 when he noticed an unusual taste in his Diet Mountain Dew, which he stored in the couple’s garage refrigerator. Ignoring the strange taste initially, he continued consuming the soda. However, within weeks, he began experiencing severe symptoms including a sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, coupled with coughing up thick, brown-yellow mucus.
Becoming increasingly suspicious, the husband reviewed security camera footage from their garage dated June 12. The video allegedly showed Peters removing the Diet Mountain Dew and a bottle of Roundup weed killer from the fridge, taking them into the house, and returning them to their original spots moments later.
His fears intensified when he attempted to switch out the tampered bottles for new ones, only for Peters to allegedly repeat the contamination process. The nearly empty bottle of Roundup, and a new bottle ready to replace it, further fueled his concerns. When confronted with his symptoms, Peters allegedly dismissed them as COVID-19 and advised him to stay away from their grandchildren.
The husband, unsure if his wife was having an affair or planning to collect on his $500,000 life insurance policy, noted a drastic reduction in the money transferred from their business account to their personal account. To protect himself, he installed additional security cameras in the garage and caught Peters on live footage handling the soda near a bottle of insecticide.
On the morning after capturing the incriminating footage, the husband presented the video evidence to the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office, expressing fear for his life. Despite ceasing consumption of the Mountain Dew, he reported persistent sore throat symptoms. Detectives subsequently confiscated two bottles of Roundup, a two-liter soda, and a bottle of insecticide from the couple’s home.
During questioning, Peters initially claimed she was concocting a weed killer mixture she found on Pinterest. However, when confronted with the video evidence, she expressed regret, stating she “should have just divorced” her husband, whom she labeled as “selfish.” Shortly thereafter, she was formally arrested and charged.
Peters, pleading not guilty to both charges, remains in custody without bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 2.
Prior to her arrest, Peters was employed as an esthetician at Bodyworks Unlimited in Lebanon. Her social media profiles, which had been filled with family photos and religious reposts, now paint a stark contrast to the allegations against her. In mid-March, Peters shared a post encouraging couples to strive for unity in their relationships—a message now tainted by the recent accusations.
This case highlights a disturbing trend in modern society, where personal grievances and perceived slights can lead to extreme actions. The erosion of family values and personal responsibility is evident in Peters’ drastic response to a marital issue that could have been resolved through communication or, at worst, divorce.
Michelle Y. Peters’ actions, if proven true, serve as a grim reminder of the importance of gratitude, communication, and the sanctity of family bonds. As the community of Lebanon grapples with this shocking betrayal, one can only hope that justice will prevail and that this serves as a cautionary tale for others.
