ICYMI: Michigan Family Vanishes After Dad’s Terrifying Psychotic Break—Blames It on HONEY!
A Michigan father’s sudden mental collapse led his entire family to flee 600 miles from home—now, he’s blaming honey for his breakdown. 🌐 #News #FremontMI #Michigan #MissingPersons
FREMONT, MI – A local Michigan family’s sudden disappearance in 2022 left authorities and the public puzzled. After a frantic search, they were found safe in a Wisconsin hotel, and the case was considered closed. But nearly two and a half years later, the family is revealing shocking new details about what caused their bizarre vanishing act. The father, Tony Cirigliano, claims he unknowingly consumed a toxic substance known as “mad honey,” triggering a mental break that sent his family fleeing in fear.
A Bizarre Case Reopened
The Cirigliano family vanished from their Fremont home in October 2022, leaving behind their elderly mother-in-law, who was later found wandering outside, confused and alone.
With no explanation for their disappearance, authorities launched a widespread search.
A week later, the family surfaced in Wisconsin, unharmed but offering little clarity on what had happened.
Recently, Tony Cirigliano contacted a Michigan news outlet with what he believes is the real reason for his mental collapse.
He provided 83 pages of medical records documenting his diagnosis of “substance-induced psychosis,” a condition his doctors attributed to his accidental overconsumption of mad honey.
Unaware of its dangers, he had been adding the honey to his yogurt daily, not realizing it contained powerful neurotoxins.
The mental effects crept in gradually—strange dreams, paranoia, and increasingly disturbing thoughts.
Eventually, his mind spiraled into full-blown delusions, convincing him that his family was in imminent danger. With no other explanation for the breakdown, he believes mad honey was the cause.
The Hidden Danger of Mad Honey
Mad honey is produced when bees collect nectar from rhododendron flowers, which contain grayanotoxins—natural compounds that can cause hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, and dangerously low blood pressure.
Traditionally used for its intoxicating effects and supposed medicinal benefits, the substance is found mostly in Turkey and Nepal and is sold at a premium.
The honey Tony consumed was purchased online and labeled as regular raw honey.
His wife, Suzette, also tasted it and described a bitter, burning sensation—common symptoms of grayanotoxins. However, no conclusive tests were performed to confirm contamination, as the cost was too high.
Unable to prove their theory, the family ultimately discarded the honey but kept the jar as a reminder of their ordeal.
A Terrifying Mental Spiral
In the early morning hours of October 16, 2022, Tony made a panicked 911 call, claiming he needed immediate police protection. He rambled about national security threats and insisted that people were trying to erase him from existence.
Responding officers spent nearly an hour at the home but saw no immediate danger, leaving without further action.
By the next night, Tony’s paranoia escalated.
He suddenly insisted that the family leave immediately. Without hesitation, Suzette and their two teenage sons followed his lead, abandoning their cell phones and fleeing into the night.
The Ciriglianos traveled aimlessly, completely disconnected from the outside world.
Gas station surveillance footage captured them hundreds of miles away in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where their oldest son attempted to call a grandmother, though he was unable to complete the call.
Days later, a hotel clerk in Wisconsin recognized the family and contacted police. Officers determined they were safe, and the family was finally brought home.
Recovery and Lingering Uncertainty
Following his return, Tony was hospitalized for three weeks and placed on antipsychotic medication. He then spent a year undergoing mental health treatment, gradually tapering off the medication under medical supervision.
His official diagnosis remained “substance-induced psychosis,” with other conditions like bipolar disorder ruled out.
While some medical experts remain skeptical that mad honey could have triggered such extreme delusions, Tony and his family are convinced.
The timeline of events, combined with his never having experienced such symptoms before, leaves them with little doubt. Some specialists suggest underlying factors may have played a role, but the Ciriglianos believe the honey was the root cause.
Moving Forward
Despite the trauma they endured, the Cirigliano family is focused on rebuilding their lives.
Tony has returned to work in the IT field, and they remain grateful for the outpouring of support from their community.
Though unanswered questions remain, they hope their experience will raise awareness about the potential dangers of mislabeled food products and the importance of mental health care.
For them, the nightmare is over—but the lessons learned will stay with them forever.
RELATED TOPICS: Food | Michigan | Missing Persons | Weird News | Wisconsin
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