Perth woman Bozena Knapinski accused of poisoning her ex-husband with high doses of selenium

A woman is on trial accused of trying to poison her husband by adding selenium drops to his drinking water.

A man suspected his wife was poisoning him when his health improved while he was on an overseas holiday without her, the WA Supreme Court has been told.

Bozena Knapinski, 63, is facing trial, accused of trying to poison her ex-husband by adding drops of selenium to his drinking water

She has.pleaded not guilty to six counts of intent to harm endangering the life of another person.

Selenium is found in nature as a mineral, but is also an essential trace element in humans that supports thyroid function, and is fatal in high doses.

Her ex-husband Robert Knapinski claims he began experiencing health problems in 2021, and suffered symptoms over several years doctors could not explain.

Mr Knapinski alleges his health improved after he went on a four-month European holiday without his wife, which led him to suspect her.

Perth woman Bozena Knapinski is accusing of trying to poison her ex-husband by adding high levels of selenium to his water bottles. Picture: NewsWire/ Sharon Smith,

The court was told Mr Knapinski recorded his wife adding selenium drops to his water bottles then gave the footage to police.

The state alleges Ms Knapinski added drops of selenium to her former husband’s water bottles without him knowing.

Clinical toxicologist Dr Kerry Hoggett told the court selenium levels in 13 water bottles seized by police were 140 to 1100 times higher than the Australian drinking water guidelines.

Dr Hoggett said Mr Knapinski’s blood tests from March 2023 revealed his selenium levels were much higher than would be expected, suggesting he had been exposed to an additional source of selenium than what you would consume in your diet.

She said it was well documented that taking more than the recommended dose of selenium would result in a condition called selenosis, which included gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.

The WA Supreme Court was told 13 water bottles seized by police had selenium levels that were 140 to 1100 times higher than the Australian drinking water guidelines. Picture: NewsWire/ Sharon Smith,

She said selenosis could be fatal resulting in cardiac arrest.

The doctor said another blood test taken from Mr Knapinski one month later showed significantly high levels of selenium, revealing chronic or repeated exposure for at least four months.

“The information I have available supports high and variable doses were ingested by Mr Knapinski through the Bioceutical drops added to drinking water,” she said.

“His symptoms suggest he had been having these symptoms over several years, that stopped when he travelled overseas.”

Dr Hoggett said the symptoms described in a doctor’s report matched the symptoms of selenosis.

The trial continues.