Thuy was taken into custody on 26/6 by Thanh Hoa provincial police and is being investigated for involuntary manslaughter.

Tao Thi Thuy under arrest. Photo: Lam Son

On 24/2, several residents of Quang Vinh ward, Sam Son city, sought treatment from Thuy in Lang Chanh town for joint pain and stomach aches. Thuy, who practiced traditional medicine, offered a herbal remedy known as "thuoc la nam." Instead of charging a fixed fee, she allowed patients to leave a donation on an altar in front of her house.

After consuming the herbal concoction, two individuals experienced chest tightness, difficulty breathing, numbness in their extremities, blurred vision, and gradual paralysis. One person died at home, while the other was rushed to the hospital and survived.

Forensic analysis of the herbal mixture consumed by the patients, as well as samples collected from Thuy's residence, confirmed the presence of deadly nightshade, identifying it as the cause of death. The authorities also found traces of the plant's toxins in other "thuoc la nam" samples seized from Thuy's home and from the remaining patients who had taken the remedy.

Thuy claimed she collected herbs from the forest to treat people based on traditional knowledge. She admitted to not knowing the names of the plants she used, as she had no formal medical training. The remedies she provided were also unlicensed.

Deadly nightshade, a climbing plant commonly found in the northern mountainous regions, contains highly toxic alkaloids that can be fatal if ingested or consumed.

Le Hoang