Investigators Couldn’t Identify the Poison at First... #maryyoder #truecrimestories #crimejunkies | Forensic Files

So, Dr. Clark tests for all the usual poison suspects, right? Like arsenic, cyanide. But when those come back
negative, he works with poison control resources trying to match Mary's symptoms
to something in their database. And this stretches on all the way through August
and into September. But finally, nearly 2 months after Mary's death, they figure it out.
Mary died from an overdose of colchicine. I've never heard of that. >> Most people haven't. I hadn't before
this case. Colchicine is typically used to treat gout. But Mary didn't have gout. So,
there is no reason that she should have been taking it at all. Let alone the amount found in her system, which was
enough to kill her many, many times over. >> And I assume this isn't like an over-the-counter kind of thing.
>> No, no, no, no. You need a prescription. [music] And it's not like there's like a
street market for this thing either. >> for gout. >> Right. So, at first, poison control and
everyone is thinking that there could be basically like accidental ways this got
into her system. Both of which they need to identify fast because other people could be at risk. And so, the first
thought they have is, okay, she could have gotten it through contact with plants. [music]
Mary was this avid gardener and colchicine comes from a plant. So, maybe she ingested something that she [music]
grew. Okay, I don't know the ins and outs of this drug, but I feel like you'd probably have to ingest a lot of a plant
to die from it. And I I don't see that happening by accident. >> actually doesn't take that much. The
lethal dose is remarkably low, but there is a second, even scarier possibility. Mary was known to take a lot of
supplements, a lot of vitamins, and she even sold them out of her practice. So, they start thinking like, "Oh my god,
what if something that she was taking got contaminated during manufacturing?" At least if it was her garden, the
problem would be contained to her household. With this, I mean, they could be looking at a public health crisis.
So, they have her family go and collect and turn over everything they can find that she took regularly. And even though
it seems far-fetched, they do go even check her garden. But everything comes back clean.

For nearly two months, no one could figure out what killed Mary Yoder.

Tests for common poisons came back negative. Investigators were left searching for answers, working with poison control to match her symptoms to something—anything.

Then they found it: colchicine.

A prescription drug used to treat gout… that Mary was never prescribed.

The amount in her system was not just lethal — it was enough to kill her many times over. -------- Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers.

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Brief Summary

Mary's death from colchicine overdose raises questions about accidental ingestion or contamination from supplements.

Key points

The Mystery of Colchicine. Nearly two months after Mary's death, doctors discover she died from colchicine overdose.
Contamination Concerns. Investigators worry that Mary's supplements could have been contaminated, risking public health.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

At least if it was her garden, the problem would be contained to her household.

Concern about the potential public health crisis.

1:52WatchMar 22, 2026

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