Queensland Woman Sentenced to Jail for Fatal Soup laced with Medication
A 69-year-old woman from Queensland, Australia has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of her husband. Judith Ann Venn admitted to lacing her husband’s soup with prescription medication, causing him to overdose. The Supreme Court heard that Venn believed this drastic action was the only solution to an intolerable and hopeless situation.
Lance Hilton Venn, Venn’s husband of about 40 years, suffered from bipolar disorder and manic depressive illness. Over the previous 18 months, his condition had worsened significantly, leading to agitation and aggression towards others. Venn, who was his primary carer, was struggling to cope with his deteriorating state.
On the morning of August 14, 2020, Venn had hoped for some relief as her husband was scheduled to see a psychologist that day. However, he ended up at their daughter’s house during one of his nocturnal outings. Judith Venn canceled the appointment and decided to take matters into her own hands.
When Lance returned home, Venn administered a lethal dose of medication by dissolving 50 prescribed pills in a portion of vegetable soup she had prepared the previous day. She also cut his wrist while he was unconscious, although the cause of death was determined to be the overdose. In a letter, Venn expressed that she did not want her family to live with the same stress and burden she experienced, claiming that her husband had pushed her to the edge.
Psychiatrists involved in the case found that Venn was suffering from a major depressive disorder, excessive stress, and distorted thinking patterns. These factors contributed to her last-resort thinking and desperation at the time of the offense. The court learned that Venn had minimized and concealed her husband’s physical aggression towards her, likely due to shame, loyalty, and a desire to spare her children further concern.
Justice Frances Williams of the Brisbane Supreme Court acknowledged the tragic chain of events that led to Venn’s actions. The sentence of eight years and six months behind bars takes into account Venn’s lack of risk to the community and the physical, verbal, and emotional abuse she endured. Justice Williams also recognized Venn’s efforts towards rehabilitation and granted her immediate eligibility to apply for parole.
It is a case that highlights the complex and devastating consequences of mental illness, both for the person suffering and their caregivers. If you or someone you know is impacted by similar situations, there is help available. You can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website at 1800RESPECT.org.au. In emergencies, contact 000.
