Antifreeze in wine sounds like something from a crime novel, but it landed a Connecticut man in the hospital with kidney failure. Kristen Hogan, 33, faces attempted murder charges after allegedly spiking her estranged husband’s wine with ethylene glycol on August 10.
The victim required emergency dialysis and intensive care—ethylene glycol attacks the kidneys with devastating efficiency. According to police, Hogan entered their shared Ridgefield residence while her husband attended a court hearing she had initiated, then poisoned the wine waiting in the refrigerator.
Digital Evidence Trail
Phone searches revealed the calculated nature of the alleged attack.
The arrest warrant paints a picture of premeditation that’s chilling in its specificity. Investigators found searches on Hogan’s phone from late July asking “how much monoethylene glycol would kill you.”
During police interviews, Hogan reportedly confessed to adding the chemical to the wine, claiming she intended to “make him sick” as payback for alleged mental abuse, not kill him. The distinction matters little when dealing with a substance that can cause permanent organ damage or death in small doses.
Toxic Reality Check
Ethylene glycol poisoning cases remain rare but devastatingly effective.
Antifreeze appeals to poisoners because it’s accessible, often tasteless when mixed, and initially mimics alcohol intoxication before the real damage begins. Symptoms progress from confusion and slurred speech to vomiting, then organ failure.
Even with rapid medical intervention, victims face potential permanent neurological damage or death. The sweet taste can mask its presence in beverages, making detection difficult until serious symptoms emerge. Poison control centers report these cases sporadically, usually linked to domestic disputes or insurance fraud schemes.
Legal Proceedings
The case highlights broader concerns about domestic violence and chemical access.
Hogan remains held on $1 million bail and has pleaded not guilty. Her attorney emphasizes her role as a mother and maintains the charges are merely accusations.
The case unfolds against a backdrop of bitter custody proceedings, spotlighting how accessible household and automotive chemicals can become weapons in domestic conflicts. Beyond the individual tragedy, it raises questions about chemical storage safety and recognizing early poisoning symptoms—knowledge that could save lives when relationships turn toxic.
