‘My mother poisoned my father, and I had to live with the aftermath’
Sydney Morning Herald
by John SilvesterFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A woman poisoned her husband with arsenic over five agonizing years, leading to his death and leaving their daughter to grapple with the aftermath. Lorraine Moss meticulously dosed John’s food, initially avoiding detection as his health fluctuated and doctors struggled to diagnose the mystery illness. After John’s death in 1984, police discovered a tin of arsenate linked to his symptoms, revealing the shocking truth behind his prolonged suffering.
The couple had seemed like kindred spirits, sharing a close bond despite their 17-year age difference. They raised three children together, including Tracey Moss, who cherished her father and was horrified by her mother’s actions. As John’s health deteriorated, Lorraine became his primary caregiver, staying with him in hospital accommodation during his final months. However, her facade of care belied the poison she had been administering since 1978.
Tracey recalls the family’s idyllic early years, marked by camping trips and laughter, before the darkness set in. She was estranged from her mother for years, enduring rumors that she might have been complicit in her father’s death. Now, four decades later, Tracey is speaking out to share her story of betrayal, loss, and resilience. Her memoir details the emotional toll of living with uncertainty about her father’s fate and her fight to reclaim control over his grave from the woman who took his life.
This chilling case highlights the insidious nature of domestic abuse and the lengths some will go to conceal their actions. It also underscores the importance of vigilance in recognizing patterns of toxicity, even within seemingly loving families. For readers interested in true crime, this story offers a stark reminder that danger can lurk where least expected, even in the people closest to us.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/20/2026