A former Alabama chiropractor will spend the rest of his life in prison for orchestrating a chilling attempt to poison his wife using lead-contaminated vitamins during a bitter divorce battle.

According to the New York Post, Brian Thomas Mann, 36, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday after being convicted of attempted murder for slowly poisoning his wife, Hannah Pettey, with lead over several months in 2021.

The case began in the summer of 2021, when Pettey began taking vitamins to boost her health amid rising stress from the couple’s divorce proceedings. Unknown to her, Mann had tampered with the supplements, introducing lead into the capsules from materials left over from an office remodel at his chiropractic clinic.

Lead Materials Retrieved From Office Project

The source of the poison was traced back to leftover lead sheeting used to line the X-ray room at Mann’s clinic. According to trial testimony, Mann acquired the material from a contractor who had completed renovation work at his office. Danny Hill, the contractor involved in the remodel, told investigators that he gave the lead to Mann after finishing the job. Prosecutors later confirmed this material was matched to the lead found in Pettey’s system during her hospitalization.

As Pettey's health worsened, she was hospitalized for an extended period. Blood tests revealed that her lead levels were eight times higher than what is considered safe. She required two months of intensive medical care, including constant treatments to rid her body of the toxic metal.

Wife Lost 40 Pounds During Extended Illness

Even after being released from the hospital, Pettey remained in poor health. Doctors reported that a significant amount of lead remained in her system, and she had lost 40 pounds as a result of the lead poisoning. Authorities began investigating the cause of her illness when her symptoms could not be explained by normal means. Suspicion quickly turned toward Mann, who had been pressuring Pettey to obtain additional life insurance during the time she was sick. Investigators later discovered that Mann stood to gain $1 million in insurance payouts if Pettey had died. The revelation supported the argument that financial gain was the motive behind the poisoning scheme.

Husband Tried to Mislead Investigators with X-Ray

When pressed by hospital staff about the potential source of the illness, Mann initially cooperated and handed over the bottle of vitamins. However, he later attempted an elaborate deception to deflect blame.

He reported to doctors that he had ingested lead himself and underwent an X-ray to show a substance in his colon. Hospital staff grew suspicious after his behavior became visibly anxious when asked to undergo a second scan. A nurse involved in the case noted that Mann appeared nervous and seemed like he might leave the facility. The second scan did, in fact, show a foreign substance, but it appeared to have been recently placed in his system, casting further doubt on his claims of accidental poisoning.

Tipster Exposed The Source Of The Lead

Days after the scans, authorities received an anonymous tip that strengthened the case against Mann. The tipster confirmed that the lead from the X-ray room renovation had been given to him by Hill, pointing directly to the chiropractor’s access to the toxic material.

The revelation allowed authorities to build a timeline and strengthened the case that the poisoning was intentional. Mann was arrested in September 2022 and later stood trial on charges of attempted murder. The court also considered his attempts to mislead medical staff and manipulate evidence in its decision to deliver the harshest sentence. During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors argued that Mann’s conduct demonstrated a high level of planning and disregard for human life.

Prosecutor Calls Scheme 'A Peek into His Soul'

Lead prosecutor Garrick Vickery spoke openly about Mann's character. “I believe this was a good glimpse into Brian Mann’s character. I don’t know if he took this seriously or if he takes anything seriously outside of himself and his pursuit of money,” Vickery said.

He added, “It’s a peek into his soul,” describing the deliberate nature of the crime and emphasizing its financial motives. The judge ultimately agreed with the prosecution’s assessment and imposed the maximum life sentence permitted under Alabama law. The couple, who share at least two children, had been in the midst of a highly combative divorce process when the poisoning occurred. The custody and financial disputes provided the backdrop for a crime that authorities say was months in the making.

Life Imprisonment Marks End of Unfolding Tragedy

With Mann’s sentencing, the case comes to a close after nearly three years of medical, legal, and emotional trauma. Pettey survived the ordeal but continues to deal with the long-term consequences of heavy metal poisoning.

The story has drawn attention for its disturbing combination of medical deception, domestic betrayal, and financial ambition. Legal experts say it also highlights the darker potential of toxic materials once intended for medical use. As Mann begins his life sentence, the case stands as a chilling reminder of how a personal relationship turned poisonous—both figuratively and literally—under the strain of divorce and financial pressure.