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Researcher Faces Felony Charges for Poisoning Coworker's Water Bottle

4/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Makoto Kuroda, a 41-year-old researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, faces felony charges for poisoning a coworker’s water bottle and shoes, while on administrative leave and with a preliminary hearing set for April 21 at Dane County Courthouse.
He admitted to adding chemicals, including chloroform, due to resentment over the coworker’s promotion.
The coworker reported a strange odor after drinking from the water bottle.
Testing revealed high levels of chloroform.

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Story summary

Makoto Kuroda, a 41-year-old researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, faces felony charges for poisoning a coworker’s water bottle and shoes, while on administrative leave and with a preliminary hearing set for April 21 at Dane County Courthouse.
He admitted to adding chemicals, including chloroform, due to resentment over the coworker’s promotion.
The coworker reported a strange odor after drinking from the water bottle.
Testing revealed high levels of chloroform.