Megan Dyer-MacLean Poisoned to Death in Johnsonville New York

On June 4, 2018, the small community of Johnsonville, New York, was rocked by the discovery of a devastating crime. Thirty-one-year-old Megan Dyer-MacLean, a mother of two, was found lifeless along an abandoned railroad bed behind her home off Route 67. Initially presumed to be the victim of foul play, the subsequent autopsy and toxicology tests revealed that Megan had been fatally poisoned with strychnine, a potent toxin often used as a pesticide. Her death marked the beginning of a complex and emotional investigation that, seven years later, remains unresolved.

Background of Johnsonville, New York

Johnsonville is a hamlet situated within the town of Pittstown in Rensselaer County. Nestled in upstate New York, it is characterized by its rural landscape, rolling hills, and sparse population. The community’s quiet streets and proximity to farmland impart a sense of close-knit familiarity among residents. Prior to 2018, Johnsonville had largely been spared from headlines involving violent crime. When news of Megan’s death emerged, it shattered the illusion of safety that many local families had long enjoyed. The abandoned railroad bed, once a symbol of quiet in disuse, became a focal point for sorrow and scrutiny.

Megan Dyer-MacLean: Life and Family

Megan was born and raised in the broader Rensselaer County region. By the time of her death, she was married to Duncan MacLean, and together they had two young children. Neighbors remember her as a caring mother who took an active interest in her children’s activities, from school events to community functions. She maintained close ties with extended family, often visiting relatives during holidays and family gatherings. Friends describe Megan as warm and friendly, with an easy laugh and a genuine concern for others.

Though details about her professional life remain private, it is known that Megan balanced parental responsibilities with household management, creating a stable environment for her family. In the months preceding her death, acquaintances noted no overt signs of distress or danger. On the evening of June 3, 2018, she seemed to be in her usual routine—preparing dinner for her children and spending time on household chores. Her unexpected and violent death not only robbed her children of their mother but also sent shockwaves through friends and neighbors who believed she led a quiet, untroubled life.

The Day of June 4, 2018

The precise timeline of events on June 4, 2018, remains partially obscured by the nature of the crime. That morning, Megan’s husband, Duncan, left early for work, following his customary schedule. Family members say that Megan was last seen by neighbors just after dawn: she dropped her children off at daycare before returning home. Surveillance from a nearby gas station indicates that Megan made a brief stop for groceries around 8:15 a.m., purchasing a few household essentials. Afterward, no clear record captures her movements until later that evening.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., a passing motorist noticed Megan’s vehicle parked slightly off the side of the road near the old railroad bed and alerted authorities, assuming the car had broken down. When deputies from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, they found Megan’s body lying approximately thirty feet from the road, between tracks covered by scrub brush. The position of her body suggested she had not collapsed there accidentally; rather, she appeared to have been led or moved to that spot.

Discovery of the Body

Deputies who arrived shortly after dusk described the scene as eerily quiet and remote, despite its proximity—less than a mile—from Megan’s home. The location was accessible by foot but invisible to passing traffic due to the dense undergrowth and a curve in the road. The initial responding officers established a perimeter and secured the area to preserve evidence. Photographs taken by crime scene technicians show discarded plastic bottles nearby and a faint trail leading from the road to where Megan lay.

At first glance, there were no obvious signs of a struggle. Megan was dressed in casual attire—jeans, a plain T-shirt, and sneakers. No personal belongings, beyond her wallet and phone, were found on or near her. Her phone was powered off, and the last outgoing call registered on the device occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m., aligning with footage from the gas station camera. Investigators quickly noted the absence of visible trauma, fractures, or defensive wounds, suggesting that poisoning was the likely cause of death. They transported her body to Albany Medical Center for a full autopsy and toxicology workup.

Autopsy and Toxicology Findings

The autopsy, conducted by the regional medical examiner, revealed no signs of blunt force trauma, stab wounds, or gunshot injuries. Instead, early stomach contents appeared abnormal, with a surrounding discoloration of the oral tissues. Toxicologists detected strychnine—a potent alkaloid toxin historically used as a pesticide. Strychnine acts on the central nervous system, causing severe convulsions, asphyxiation, and often a violent death. It is tasteless and odorless when dissolved in liquids, making it difficult to detect without targeted testing.

Blood samples confirmed lethal levels of strychnine. By cross-referencing forensic toxicology databases, investigators determined that the concentration in Megan’s bloodstream was consistent with intentional administration rather than accidental exposure through contaminated food or drink. Further analysis of her stomach contents revealed the presence of a beverage that tested positive for strychnine. The medical examiner concluded that ingestion occurred not long before her death, likely within one to two hours of her being found. The exact time of poisoning could not be pinpointed with absolute certainty, but investigators traced possible windows of exposure based on Megan’s known movements earlier that day.

Initial Investigation

From the moment the toxicology results were confirmed, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office launched a full‐scale homicide investigation. Detectives canvassed the area surrounding the railroad bed, marking potential evidence such as discarded containers, footprints, and tire tracks. Canine units were brought in to search for scents, while forensic teams dusted for fingerprints on items recovered at the scene. Within days, deputies had conducted hundreds of interviews: neighbors, co‐workers, acquaintances, and anyone who may have seen or interacted with Megan in the days preceding her death.

Investigators also sought to reconstruct Megan’s digital footprint. Crime scene analysts checked her social media accounts, text messages, and emails for any indication of threats, unusual communications, or suspicious contacts. Phone records were subpoenaed to determine who had called or received calls from her device on June 3 and early June 4. Surveillance footage from businesses along County Route 67 and nearby routes was collected for analysis, though much of it offered only grainy images that provided limited leads.

Inside Megan’s home, detectives carried out a meticulous search for signs of forced entry, missing items, or anything that could indicate a struggle. They documented the layout of the kitchen, bedrooms, and living room, cataloging everything from dinner dishes to personal items. No evidence suggested that an intruder had broken in. Neighbors reported that Megan’s home appeared undisturbed the following morning, with lights off and no vehicles in the driveway. The family dog, which normally greeted visitors, was inside but showed no signs of distress.

The Role of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office

Detectives from the sheriff’s office assembled a specialized task force to handle the complexities of a poisoning homicide. Strychnine cases are relatively rare, and such poisonings often indicate premeditation. The task force included members of the major crimes unit, forensic analysts, and deputies experienced in homicide investigations. Weekly briefings were set to review case progress, share new hypotheses, and assign investigative tasks.

Under the leadership of Chief Deputy Marcus Sheehan, the team prioritized a multi‐pronged approach: (1) identifying how and where the strychnine was obtained; (2) determining the circumstances under which Megan ingested the toxin; and (3) ruling out or targeting potential suspects. By late June 2018, investigators had contacted local suppliers of pesticides, including farm supply stores and hardware outlets, to see if they had records of large‐quantity strychnine sales. Although strychnine is regulated, illicit access is not impossible; some distributors still sell old stock or mislabeled containers.

The sheriff’s office also collaborated with the New York State Police crime laboratory for advanced forensic testing. Investigators sought to match any foreign DNA found on objects recovered near the scene—bottles, containers, or clothing fibers—to potential suspects. Meanwhile, patrol deputies distributed flyers with Megan’s photograph and case details to local businesses, churches, and community boards, urging anyone with knowledge to come forward.

Family and Community Impact

Megan’s death inflicted deep trauma on her immediate family, especially her two young children, who were raised without their mother from the age of eight and six, respectively. Duncan MacLean took primary custody, balancing his own grief with caring for his children. Extended family members—grandparents, aunts, and uncles—rotated childcare duties and offered support. Despite these efforts, the emotional toll was profound. In the months following the tragedy, Megan’s nieces and nephews held candlelight vigils, and friends organized memorial walks along the very railroad bed where she was found.

Within Johnsonville and surrounding communities, her death sparked widespread sorrow. Local churches held prayer services; school teachers spoke about Megan’s kindness in classrooms; and community centers established small fundraisers to assist her children. A local bakery sold commemorative cupcakes bearing Megan’s favorite flowers in icing, donating proceeds to help cover funeral costs and counseling services for the family.

Small acts of kindness—such as neighbors delivering meals or offering free lawn care—became daily reminders that Megan’s presence was missed. Yet, as months turned to years, communities struggled with lingering questions: Who would have wanted to kill Megan? Why strychnine? The manner of poisoning, involving a substance so toxic and uncommon, suggested that the perpetrator had planned the crime carefully. Speculation circulated at local diners and gas stations, but no definitive answers emerged.

Suspicions and Persons of Interest

In May 2021, Megan’s husband, Duncan MacLean, was arrested and convicted for an unrelated late‐2017 hammer assault on another individual. He pleaded guilty to attempted assault and was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. From the outset of the homicide investigation, law enforcement made it clear that Duncan had not been named as a suspect in Megan’s death. Although some community members questioned the timing of his arrest for the assault—occurring less than a year before Megan’s death—investigators found no evidence directly linking him to her poisoning.

Detectives evaluated all persons in Megan’s personal and professional circles. This included a former co‐worker who had socialized with Megan days before her death, a neighbor who had reported overhearing an argument in early May 2018, and several casual acquaintances who had lent Megan items or services within weeks of her death. Each individual underwent thorough background checks, lie detector tests, and interviews. Although some provided inconsistent statements, none yielded sufficient probable cause for an arrest.

Investigators also explored the possibility of random violence versus a targeted killing. The use of strychnine—requiring deliberate effort to procure and administer—strongly pointed to the latter. Detectives examined Megan’s finances, searching for any signs of threats extortion, or disputes over money. No evidence of significant debt, inheritance disputes, or lawsuits involving Megan surfaced. She had not reported any threats to law enforcement prior to her death.

Challenges of Strychnine Poisoning Cases

Homicides involving poisoning present unique obstacles. Unlike a firearm or knife attack—where forensic evidence such as shells, blood spatter patterns, or weapon traces can be readily analyzed—poisoning often leaves a less direct trail. Strychnine dissipates quickly within the body, and unless investigators know exactly what to test for, standard toxicology screens may miss it. In Megan’s case, the medical examiner’s decision to include a broad panel of toxicology tests was key; strychnine would have been overlooked if analysis had been limited to common drugs or alcohol.

Tracing the source of strychnine proved equally difficult. Although investigators identified a handful of local vendors who historically stocked the pesticide, records were sparse, and some suppliers had disposed of old inventory before proper documentation. If the poison had been purchased out‐of‐county or procured illegally, there might be zero paper trail. Furthermore, if a friend or neighbor had provided a small quantity or passed along homemade bait laced with strychnine, tracing that chain was nearly impossible.

Investigators also faced the challenge of timing. By the time Megan’s body was discovered, the toxin had likely been ingested several hours earlier. Cold temperatures during the early June evening may have slowed decomposition, preserving some evidence. However, any items—cups, containers, or strychnine packets—that had been used to administer the poison had probably been removed or discarded by the perpetrator. The absence of surveillance cameras near the railroad bed further hindered efforts to track who had been in that area during critical windows of time.

Ongoing Efforts and Appeals for Information

Despite these challenges, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office has never closed the case. Each anniversary of Megan’s death prompts renewed public appeals. Deputies post notices on social media, place advertisements in local newspapers, and broadcast reminders on regional television and radio stations. They reiterate that even the smallest detail—an unfamiliar face at a community event, a peculiar midday visit by a stranger—could be the missing link.

In mid‐2024, the sheriff’s office introduced an online tip submission portal, allowing anonymous uploads of photos, text messages, or voicemails that might be related to Megan’s whereabouts on June 4 2018. Within weeks, investigators received dozens of leads. Some proved to be dead ends; others required further follow‐up interviews but ultimately yielded no actionable evidence. Yet, deputies remain optimistic that new technology—improved DNA profiling, enhanced phone data analysis, and artificial intelligence–driven pattern recognition—may one day crack the case.

Local volunteer organizations have organized monthly “Cold Case Coffee Hours,” encouraging residents to share stories over coffee and pastries. Attendees include retired detectives, civic leaders, and family members. During these sessions, participants review sparse glimpses of case files—redacted witness statements, crime scene sketches, and autopsy summaries—hoping that someone’s memory might be jogged. While no breakthrough has been reported publicly, the collective belief is that community engagement remains crucial to solving Megan’s murder.

Comparison to Similar Cases

Though rare, other cases of strychnine poisoning have occurred in New York State and neighboring regions. In each, the methodical planning required to obtain and conceal strychnine has complicated prosecutions. For example, past investigations have revealed small numbers of illicit distributors who sold strychnine under the guise of rodenticide. Some perpetrators attempted to mimic accidental poisonings—staging the death as a tragic mishap to evade suspicion. Law enforcement agencies studying these parallels emphasize the need for rapid toxicology screening and extensive canvassing around unexpected poisonings.

The politics of pesticide regulation also come into play. In recent decades, stricter controls over strychnine distribution have reduced legitimate sales. Yet, legacy stockpiles and unregulated channels still exist. Experts note that access to strychnine does not always require overtly criminal networks; a determined individual can search online forums, contact sellers in other states, or even purchase small quantities under false pretenses. Consequently, investigators suspect that Megan’s killer may have had preexisting knowledge about where to find strychnine or had connections to someone willing to supply it.

Legacy and Continued Search for Answers

Seven years on, Megan Dyer-MacLean’s case is emblematic of both the perseverance of law enforcement and the heartbreak of an unresolved tragedy. Her two children, now school-aged, maintain only fragmented memories of their mother. Family photos in their home depict Megan smiling on birthdays and family reunions, but they also serve as poignant reminders of an absence that cannot be filled.

Advocates for cold case resolution have featured Megan’s story in workshops and seminars, illustrating the necessity of community involvement and technological innovation in solving poisonings. In some seminars, retired FBI agents present Megan’s case as a cautionary tale—underscoring how subtle clues can be buried in mundane daily routines and emphasizing the importance of rapid response in potential poisoning incidents.

Community leaders in Johnsonville have since installed additional lighting and security cameras near the abandoned railroad bed, both to deter trespassers and to capture any suspicious activity. Neighborhood watch groups patrol the area periodically, not only to honor Megan’s memory but also to ensure that residents feel safe when walking or jogging in the vicinity. Each year on June 4, small gatherings occur at the edge of the railroad bed. Attendees lay flowers or light candles next to a hand‐painted plaque bearing Megan’s name and the plea: “Help us find justice.”

Conclusion

The poisoning death of Megan Dyer-MacLean on June 4, 2018, remains one of Rensselaer County’s most perplexing unsolved homicides. Despite exhaustive investigative efforts—ranging from crime scene analysis and toxicology testing to community canvassing—the identity of her killer is still unknown. Strained by grief yet fueled by hope, Megan’s family and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office continue their unwavering quest for answers. They maintain that someone, somewhere, holds the critical piece of information that could finally illuminate the truth and deliver long‐awaited justice. Until that day arrives, the memory of Megan’s life and the void her passing created in Johnsonville will endure as a solemn reminder of the fragility of safety and the enduring power of community solidarity.