Woman accused of trying to poison her husband to win over fake soap opera star

TOWNSEND, Mass. (WBZ) - Authorities say a Massachusetts woman was tricked into poisoning her husband by a scammer posing as a soap opera star, but she claims it’s all one big misunderstanding.

Roxanne Doucette is under investigation for allegedly feeding her husband, 73-year-old Paul Doucette, poisoned soup in early December. She denies the allegations, claiming the soup was simply old.

“I didn’t poison him,” Roxanne Doucette said. “I’ve never, ever tried to poison him in any way whatsoever. I love him very, very much. And I would never try to kill anyone.”

Hours after Paul Doucette ate the soup, his wife called 911, and he was rushed to the hospital, barely conscious. That’s where the couple was met by their daughter, who was suspicious and began to examine her mother’s phone.

According to court documents, there were messages on the phone from a scammer claiming to be soap opera star who wanted to hook up with her. One message read, “You have to get rid of your husband, honey. I need you so much.”

Court documents say Roxanne Doucette eventually wrote back, saying, “Making an amazing soup. Special potion… Maybe I could collect life insurance.”

Paul Doucette survived his trip to the hospital. His wife, who is charged with attempted murder, is under court order to stay away from him.

“I just want him to come home. I just love him so much,” Roxanne Doucette said.

Townsend Police Chief James Sartell is urging against any rush to judgment in the case.

“I just tell everybody to just kind of take a step back, take a deep breath, think things through before you spread things or before you think you know what’s going on. Sometimes it’s a little bit more complex than it seems,” Sartell said.

A limited toxicology test on Paul Doucette came back negative.

Authorities say when officers tried to seize her iPhone as evidence, Roxanne Doucette fought and kicked them. For that, she is charged with resisting arrest and assaulting an officer.