An Australian exchange student, Alex Shorey, has become the center of a disturbing case involving alleged poisoning by his Taiwanese girlfriend, Yang Ping. This shocking story has captured media attention, highlighting the complexity of relationships abroad.
According to reports, Shorey, now 24, was studying at Tamkang University in Taipei when he fell critically ill after allegedly being poisoned with rat poison for several months. Prosecutors charge Yang Ping, 46, with attempted murder, claiming she spiked his food and drink to prevent him from leaving Taiwan. Shorey had decided to cut his stay short due to financial reasons and fatigue, which reportedly upset Ping.
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office outlines how the alleged poisoning started, stating, “Her intent was to mix the poison... causing him to become ill and forcing him to remain in Taiwan to receive her care.” Prosecutors claim Yang began poisoning Shorey around March 2023, soon after he informed her of his plans to return to Australia. He fell sick shortly thereafter, experiencing alarming symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nosebleeds, and even blood spots on his skin and tongue.
Shorey's health issues escalated quickly. His Taiwanese employer, Elly Chen, says she first noticed signs of trouble when he began to feel dizzy and lost his appetite. “I came to his apartment and I saw blood everywhere. Blood on the pillow and tissue. I said, ‘Alex, I think you have to go to ER,’” Chen recalled. After being treated for suspected food poisoning at the hospital, Shorey’s condition steadily worsened, and by late April, he was critically ill and required immediate evacuation back to Australia.
His family initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover the exorbitant costs of medical evacuation. Remarkably, they raised over $200,000 within just two days, demonstrating the community's support and concern for Shorey. His father, Stephen Shorey, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of help, saying, “The kindness shown to us... helped more than you can image. We feel so blessed to have Alex home.”
Upon his return to Australia, medical staff confirmed Shorey had dangerously high levels of toxins from bromadiolone, the rat poison believed to have been administered. At one point, Shorey suffered hypovolemic shock, indicating his organs were failing due to unmanageable blood loss. Doctors later mentioned he had experienced severe allergic reactions to treatments during his hospitalization.
Throughout the ordeal, Yang Ping was allegedly still at the hospital, attempting to care for Shorey even as new evidence pointed to her involvement. Surveillance reportedly indicated Ping continued to poison Shorey during his hospitalization. It wasn’t until Shorey’s mother, Julie, found remnants of the poison at Ping's residence, including empty bottles and traces on kitchenware, the truth began to unravel. Upon discovering the evidence, she immediately alerted the hospital staff, leading to significant changes in Shorey’s treatment protocol.
PING's relationship with Shorey raised numerous questions, especially concerning her motivations. It has come to light she had lost her husband four months earlier under questionable circumstances. Reports reveal this man also exhibited similar symptoms before his death, raising serious questions about Yang Ping's history and potential motives. While law enforcement investigates, no charges have yet been laid concerning the mysterious passing of her husband.
Shorey's case reveals both the dangers of international travel and the potential perils of personal relationships formed abroad. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has stated, "Although Alex fortunately did not die, the suffering he endured in Taiwan was immense. He was at constant risk of massive bleeding from various parts of his body and could have died at any moment." These chilling details paint a grim picture of what Shorey has endured during his time abroad.
Despite the harrowing experience, Alex Shorey has made significant progress since returning to Australia for treatment, thanks to the efforts of his family and the community. They remain thankful but have stated their desire to distance themselves from any legal proceedings against Yang Ping to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.
The legal proceedings against Yang Ping are expected to commence, with potential consequences including up to eight years behind bars if found guilty. Authorities continue to gather evidence to fully understand the complexity of this case, from the motivations behind the alleged poisonings to the earlier suspicious death of Ping's husband.
