Iowa woman who blogged about 'harmful chemicals' poisoned husband with common household item

A woman from Iowa who blogged about “harmful chemicals and other toxins” pleaded guilty to poisoning her husband with eyedrops, court records show.

Daisy Zantjer, 39, was charged in August with two counts each of administering harmful substances and domestic abuse causing bodily injury, according to Marion County court records. Zantjer pleaded guilty to one of each count on Thursday, according to an order accepting plea and setting sentencing.

Documents relating to the charge read: “Daisy Zantjer did admit during an interview to administering a harmful substance, on two separate occasions, called tetrahdrozoline hydrochloride to her husband Allan Zantjer, in July of 2023."

“On or about the above date and time, the Defendant, Daisy Zantjer did administer a harmful substance known as Tetrahdrozoline to her husband, Allan Zantjer.” Meanwhile, the domestic abuse charging documents elaborate: “On or about the above stated date and time, the Defendant committed domestic assault against Allan Zantjer, causing injury to him by giving him Tetrahydrozoline in his drink without his knowledge.”

Law&Crime reports that several years ago a series of LinkedIn blog posts warning about chemicals in everyday household products were published by a woman with the same name. The anti-toxin author and the since-admitted poisoner “appears to be” one and the same, Pleasantville Police Chief Joe Mrstik previously told the publication.

On October 30 2018 Daisy Zantjer wrote: “I am a Christian woman who wants to do right by her family and part of that is keeping them free from harmful chemicals and other toxins that could destroy their body.”

“It’s like feeding someone arsenic,” the author continued in their LinkedIn blog post from November 1, 2018. “It’s not going to kill that person right away. It’s killing them slowly.”

The posts appeared to be aimed at encouraging people to shop from organic retailers. One post says: “I want to see others who care about themselves join me in being toxic free and financially free. If you decide you want to transfer to spending a toxic free and organic store, feel free to message me and I will give you my website.”

Zantjer was arrested by local and state police on July 30 2024. While she was originally detained by authoritites on a $12,000 cash or surety bond, her guilty plea saw the bond amount reduced to $6,000 cash or surety. Sentencing for Zantjer's case is scheduled for November 7.