Taiwanese woman charged with attempted rat poison murder of Aussie student Alex Shorey

A woman has been charged with the attempted murder of an Aussie exchange student after he was allegedly given rat poison while studying in Taiwan.

A woman has been charged with the attempted murder of an Aussie exchange student, with prosecutors alleging she gave him rat poison for months.

Alex Shorey, 23, was medically evacuated back to Australia from Taiwan last year after being hospitalised with horrific symptoms, including stomach-aches, diarrhoea, nosebleeds and blood in his urine.

The Queensland student was studying a one-year program at Tamkang University in Taipei when he decided to cut his trip short and return home.

A Taiwanese national, who has since been identified in local media as Yang Ping, was upset at his decision to leave.

A Taiwanese national has been charged with the attempted murder of exchange student Alex Shorey after he was allegedly poisoned by her in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Alex Shorey suffered a cardiorespiratory collapse and unusual bleeding from his alleged poisoning. Picture: Supplied

Ms Ping had befriended Mr Shorey while he was studying.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office allege Ms Ping repeatedly poisoned Mr Shorey over the course of several months from March 2023 to prevent him from leaving the country and ensure he remained in her care, the ABC reports.

Mr Shorey was admitted to Taipei Medical University Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

It is further alleged Ms Ping continued to lace his food and drink with rat poison even after the admission, worsening his condition further.

“Her intent was to mix the poison into Alex’s meals or beverages, which he frequently consumed at his rented residence in Taipei, causing him to become ill and forcing him to remain in Taiwan to receive her care,” prosecutors said in a statement, according to the ABC.

Out of concern for his condition, Mr Shorey’s parents travelled to Taiwan where his mother alleges she discovered an empty bottle of rat poison and alerted authorities.

“Although Alex fortunately did not die, the suffering he endured in Taiwan was immense,” the Taipei District Prosecutors Office said.

“He was at constant risk of massive bleeding from various parts of his body and could have died at any moment.”

Mr Shorey was flown back to Australia after his family crowdfunded more than $200,000 for the medical evacuation.

The parents of Alex Shorey believe the medical repatriation of their son saved his life. Picture: Supplied

The crowd-funding target was met in just two days, with Mr Shorey’s family expressing their “immense gratitude” to those who donated.

He returned home in May to receive treatment in Brisbane, with his father Stephen Shorey saying he believes the medical repatriation saved his son’s life.

“The kindness shown to us, and all the messages left on this (crowdfunding) page for Alex, helped more than you can imagine. We feel so blessed to have Alex home.”

The family has declined to comment further so as “not to jeopardise the current police investigation in Taiwan”.

Originally published as Taiwanese woman charged with attempted rat poison murder of Aussie student Alex Shorey