Cops: Pa. man sent poisoned card to rival
A suburban Philadelphia man is accused of sending a romantic rival a birthday card laced with the deadly poison ricin.
Authorities in Bucks County say 19-year-old Nicholas Helman was arrested at his Hatboro home Wednesday on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, risking a catastrophe and other counts.
Investigators say Helman told a co-worker that he sent the toxic card to his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend. The co-worker called police.
Authorities say Helman had the ingredients for making ricin and that tests confirmed the presence of the deadly chemical on the card.
Court documents don’t list an attorney for Helman, who remains in custody pending a March 27 preliminary hearing. His father, Douglas, told The (Doylestown) Intelligencer that he knew nothing about the charges.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.