Police Investigate Poisoning Of Houghton Woman

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    GLR News Update
    GLR News Update

    Houghton, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – Authorities in the Copper Country are continuing to investigate the poisoning of a Houghton woman.

    Houghton City Police say 31-year-old Janel Rene Sturzl died last December. She became ill in October of 2015 and sought treatment for the unknown illness.

    She was later transferred to the Mayo Clinic where doctors discovered she had been poisoned with lethal levels of thallium, and she died on December 22nd.

    Thallium is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless substance used in agricultural pest control that was banned for commercial use in the 1960s.

    Investigators say Thallium poisoning cases in the U.S. are extremely rare.

    Houghton Police are actively investigating all leads, and if anyone has any information they should contact the department at (906) 487-5912.