Aili Wang, a 32-year-old microbiology graduate student from China enrolled at a Wyoming university, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on October 6, 2026, on accusations she poisoned a fellow student's tea and was attempting to flee to China.
Prosecutors allege Wang and the victim had a poor relationship, and that the colleague held pending patents. The Guardian reported that the victim specialized in technology for disease treatment, and that the victim's research overlapped with work Wang had previously done in China.
Police had questioned Wang before she reached the airport. When she was taken into custody, laptops, electronic storage devices, and documents were found in her possession, all of which are now held by police. Surveillance video, according to The Guardian, allegedly shows Wang searching through the victim's desk.
ABC News and The Guardian both reported that Wang was detained as she was attempting to board a flight back to China.