"Shocking Twist: Woman Charged with Attempted Murder in Poisoning Case of Australian Student Alex Shorey in Taiwan"

Yang Ping faces attempted murder charges linked to the poisoning of Brisbane student Alex Shorey in Taiwan. Shorey reportedly ingested rat poison through contaminated food and drinks during his study abroad program last year.

A woman in Taiwan is facing a significant legal battle as she has been charged with attempted murder following the alleged poisoning of a university student from Brisbane, Australia, named Alex Shorey. The accused, known as Yang Ping, allegedly befriended Mr. Shorey while he was enrolled in a Chinese literature program in Taiwan during the early part of last year.

Mr. Shorey, who was 23 at the time, found himself in a perilous situation after he expressed a desire to return home due to financial constraints and academic exhaustion. According to a statement from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, this decision reportedly upset Yang Ping, leading her to maliciously attempt to poison him.

In March 2023, she allegedly concocted a hazardous mixture by adding rat poison to grape juice, ultimately persuading Mr. Shorey to consume it. The consequences of this act were severe, as he experienced a range of distressing symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, persistent nosebleeds, as well as blood in his urine and various spots appearing on his skin and tongue.

The prosecutors asserted that Yang Ping's intent was calculated; she purportedly aimed to integrate poison into meals or beverages that Mr. Shorey frequently consumed at his rented accommodation in Taipei. Her goal, they claimed, was to induce illness in him, thus compelling him to remain in Taiwan under her care.

As Mr. Shorey was hospitalized due to his deteriorating condition, Yang Ping allegedly continued to administer the poison disguised within his food, worsening his health further. Concerned for her son's well-being, Mr. Shorey's mother, Julie, traveled to Taiwan and, during her stay at Yang Ping’s apartment, discovered an empty rat poison bottle. Alarmed by this find, she alerted medical professionals, which led to Yang Ping being prohibited from administering any further medications to Mr. Shorey.

After her apprehension, Yang Ping strenuously denied any wrongdoing and even claimed that she did not recognize Mr. Shorey. Prosecutors further revealed that she had befriended him following the unexpected death of her spouse, driven by a need for control, jealousy, and a desire for revenge.

Despite the fact that Mr. Shorey did not succumb to the poisoning, the prosecutors noted the intense suffering he endured throughout his time in Taiwan. They stated that he was at a continual risk of severe bleeding from various parts of his body, indicating how perilous his situation had become.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office characterized Yang Ping’s actions as particularly malicious, emphasizing the lack of mitigating circumstances that might evoke any sense of compassion for her plight. In light of these events, Mr. Shorey’s family launched a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised over $200,000 to facilitate his medical evacuation back to Australia.

Mr. Shorey's father, Stephen, shared with the ABC that Alex has since recovered from the harrowing ordeal. He expressed the family's deep gratitude towards everyone who played a role in ensuring that Alex returned home safely in 2023, asserting that this effort had quite literally saved his son’s life.

While Mr. Shorey expressed appreciation but chose not to comment further on the ongoing legal proceedings, his focus remains on his recovery. The legal fate of Yang Ping still hangs in the balance as she faces serious charges stemming from her alleged actions against Mr. Shorey.