In a shocking case from Versailles, Missouri, a 61-year-old woman named Barbaray Clinkenbeard has been arrested for allegedly poisoning her husband and two family members by adding rat poison and antifreeze to their drinks. The family fell ill but survived the alleged attempts.
According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Clinkenbeard was arrested on March 29, 2025, and now faces serious criminal charges including two counts of first-degree domestic assault and two counts of armed criminal action. She is currently in custody without bond and is expected to appear in court on April 8.
What Happened?
As per reports, the poisoning incidents occurred on two different occasions:
- In December 2024, she allegedly mixed rat poison into her family’s lemonade and tea.
- In January 2025, she reportedly added antifreeze into their tea.
The victims became very sick, but thankfully survived. During questioning, Clinkenbeard admitted to adding the poisons during arguments with her husband and other family members. When asked if she knew the poison could be fatal, she allegedly said yes.
Behavior After Arrest
While being transported to the Morgan County Jail, Clinkenbeard reportedly sang Christian songs, saying that “Jesus will save her.” Officers noted that she appeared emotional, crying and singing alternately after arriving at the police station.
She is charged with:
- First-degree domestic assault
- Armed criminal action
- A mental health-related commitment charge
If convicted, Clinkenbeard could face up to 30 years in prison.
Source of the Poisons
According to court documents, Clinkenbeard told investigators she found the rat poison on a bus and the antifreeze in a truck on her own property. Her alleged method of poisoning involved mixing the toxic substances into common drinks like tea and lemonade, possibly hiding the taste due to antifreeze’s sweet flavor.
The Danger of Rat Poison and Antifreeze
Both rat poison and antifreeze are highly dangerous:
- Rat poison contains chemicals that can cause internal bleeding, organ failure, or death, even in small amounts, depending on the type used.
- Antifreeze, containing ethylene glycol, is especially dangerous due to its sweet taste, which can mask its toxicity and lead to accidental or intentional ingestion.
A Similar Case in Georgia: Torii Fedrick
This is not the only recent case involving antifreeze. Just two days earlier, on March 27, a Georgia woman named Torii Fedrick was convicted of murdering her husband with antifreeze in September 2021.
- She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
- Her defense argued that it was a suicide, but the court disagreed.
- The motive behind the murder was not publicly disclosed.