- An Iowa woman allegedly laced a family lasagna with oxycodone to cause a relative to miscarry.
- The shocking plot was uncovered after the intended victims became suspicious and contacted police.
- The suspect’s own child was aware of the plan to drug the meal and objected to it.
- While the fetus survived, the suspect faces multiple felonies and a second arrest is imminent.
A quiet family gathering in Decorah, Iowa, took a sinister turn just days after Christmas when a homemade lasagna was allegedly used as a weapon. Amber Dena Snow, a 36-year-old mother of three, stands accused of a shocking crime: lacing a traditional pasta dish with the powerful painkiller oxycodone in a twisted attempt to force a relative to miscarry.
Authorities were alerted in January after the unsuspecting family received the tainted holiday meal, setting off a chain of events that has led to multiple felony charges and exposed a deeply disturbing family secret. This bizarre and heartbreaking case has captured national attention, raising questions about how far someone might go and what happens when a child becomes entangled in a deadly plot.
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What Happened in the Decorah Lasagna Drugging Case?
The incident unfolded on December 28, 2025, when a family-sized pan of lasagna was delivered to a home in Decorah. The family immediately grew suspicious of the dish and contacted the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office in January, fearing it had been tampered with.
Law enforcement sent the pasta to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory for testing. The results were alarming: the lasagna was positive for oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic. Investigators quickly identified Amber Snow as the person who provided the meal, and the focus shifted from a suspicious meal to a premeditated criminal plot targeting a pregnant member of the household.
How Did Amber Snow Lace the Lasagna with Oxycodone?
The investigation revealed that Snow did not act on a whim; evidence points to careful and secretive planning. Authorities who examined her phone discovered a digital trail of internet searches and private conversations with a co conspirator about how to carry out the scheme. It was during these exchanges that they allegedly plotted to “taint” the homemade lasagna with the dangerous drug.
The specific method of introducing the oxycodone into the dish has not been disclosed, but the intent, according to the criminal complaints, was to ensure the pregnant woman ingested it unknowingly. Shockingly, court documents reveal that Snow’s own child, who shares a connection with the victim’s family, was aware of the drugged lasagna and its deadly purpose and objected to it.
What Charges Does Amber Snow Face in Miscarriage Plot?
The legal consequences for Snow are severe, reflecting the premeditated and dangerous nature of the alleged crime. She faces a total of seven charges, including several felonies. Among the most serious are attempted nonconsensual termination of a pregnancy, a controlled substance violation, and two counts of administering a harmful substance to an adult.
Because the lasagna was delivered to a home with children present, she is also charged with two counts of administering a harmful substance to a juvenile and one count of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor. Snow was arrested on March 10, 2026, and is currently being held in the Winneshiek County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond.
Was the Pregnancy Affected by the Drug-Laced Lasagna?
In a development that authorities are calling fortunate, the intended victim’s pregnancy was not harmed. Officials from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that the fetus survived the alleged attack. It remains unclear from the investigation whether the pregnant woman actually ate any of the oxycodone-laced lasagna.
Authorities have not specified if the baby has since been born, citing the ongoing investigation, but they have emphasized that both the woman and the baby are safe. The survival of the pregnancy does not lessen the severity of the charges, as the intent to cause harm was clearly established through electronic evidence.
Who Else Was Involved in the Oxycodone Lasagna Incident?
Amber Snow did not act alone. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office has stated unequivocally that a co-conspirator was involved in the plot, and they expect to make another arrest soon. While initial reports did not name this person, court documents later identified him as Matthew Ulthoff.
According to complaints, investigators determined from interviews with both Snow and Ulthoff that they worked together to lace the lasagna. Ulthoff is expected to face the same seven charges as Snow, though he has not yet been arrested or formally charged. Authorities continue to investigate, suggesting that more details about the conspiracy may emerge as the case proceeds to a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 23.
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Last Updated on March 12, 2026 by 247 News Around The World