Ex-Paramedic Accused of Killing Wife with Eye Drops for Insurance Money

A former paramedic in the United States is accused of murdering his wife by slowly poisoning her with a common household product: eye drops. Joshua Hunsucker allegedly added toxic amounts of tetrahydrozoline to his wife Stacy's drinks over time. Tetrahydrozoline is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter eye drops. In small doses, it relieves redness. In large amounts, it can be fatal, causing seizures and shutting down the body's systems. Prosecutors say Hunsucker's motive was a $250,000 life insurance policy. Stacy Hunsucker died in September 2018. Her death was initially considered natural. Police began investigating after the insurance company raised suspicions. As the investigation progressed, Hunsucker reported a bizarre incident. He claimed he was kidnapped from a store parking lot, driven around, and then released. Authorities now allege that kidnapping story was staged. They believe Hunsucker fabricated it to divert attention from the murder investigation. Hunsucker has been charged with first-degree murder and insurance fraud. He maintains his innocence. The case highlights the dangerous misuse of everyday medical products.