Her Husband Was Planning Something Twisted: The Case of Michael Meyden and the Sleepover Smoothies

In a tranquil suburban neighborhood of Lake Oswego, Oregon, an event unfolded that would leave the community in shock. This is the unsettling story of Michael Meyden, a seemingly ordinary human resources manager, and his twisted plans that turned a sleepover into a nightmare for his daughter and her friends. This article details the events that led to the investigation, the evidence gathered, and the chilling crime itself.

A Seemingly Normal Life

Michael Meyden, a 57-year-old human resources manager at an energy company, appeared to be an ordinary man. An Arizona State University graduate, he lived with his wife and daughter in a $1.3 million home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. On August 26, 2023, Michael's 12-year-old daughter was excited to host a sleepover for three of her friends, planning a fun-filled night of spa activities and pizza.

Michael was heavily involved in the sleepover preparations, taking the girls to get their nails done and picking up pizzas for dinner. His wife, whose first language is Japanese, reportedly left much of the sleepover organization to Michael due to the language barrier.

The Sleepover Begins

The sleepover started as any other, with the girls enjoying their spa night and pizza. However, things took a dark turn before bedtime. Michael prepared two mango smoothies for each girl, insisting they drink them completely. He was adamant that each girl drink from her designated cup, identified by specific colored straws.

One girl drank both her smoothies, another drank one, and a third barely drank any, claiming she didn't like the taste. Michael's daughter also drank a significant amount. After the smoothies, the girls went down to the basement to sleep, where two of them settled in a bedroom, and the other two on a pull-out couch.

A Disturbing Discovery

As the girls began to fall asleep, the one who drank the least remained awake. She witnessed Michael creeping down into the basement, checking if the girls were asleep by placing his hands under their noses to feel their breath. This strange behavior alarmed her, especially when he moved her sleeping friend away from her.

When Michael returned upstairs, the awake girl moved her friend back closer to her. Michael came down again, repeating his actions and this time standing watch for 15 minutes. Terrified, the girl pretended to sleep, knowing she needed to leave. When Michael went upstairs for the third time, she began calling and texting her parents for help.

The Escape

Unable to reach her parents, the girl contacted a family friend, explaining the bizarre and frightening situation. The friend immediately went to Michael's house to pick her up. When the girl began gathering her things, Michael, appearing drunk and slurring his words, confronted her but did not stop her from leaving. The girl noticed that despite the loud door, the other girls remained deeply asleep, which increased her concern.

Once home, she woke her parents and told them everything. They contacted the other girls' parents, who rushed to Michael's house to retrieve their daughters. Michael was hesitant to let them in, trying to dissuade them from taking their children, but eventually relented.

The Investigation Begins

The concerned parents took their daughters to the hospital the next day, where tests revealed they had ingested benzodiazepines, a type of tranquilizer used for anxiety and sleep disorders. The police were contacted, and the girls mentioned noticing tiny white chunks in the smoothies. The girl who drank both smoothies reported feeling woozy and clumsy before blacking out. Another girl's mother described her daughter's heavy eyelids and slow speech when she got home, indicating the effects of the drugs.

Gathering Evidence

With the initial reports from the girls and the hospital's findings, the police had a substantial lead. A detailed investigation commenced, with officers focusing on Michael Meyden's behavior and actions during the sleepover. The police collected testimonies from the girls and their parents, which painted a consistent and disturbing picture of the night's events.

Six months after the incident, a grand jury charged Michael with three felony counts of causing another person to ingest a controlled substance, three felony counts of applying a Schedule IV controlled substance to the body of a minor, and three misdemeanor counts of delivering to a minor a Schedule IV controlled substance. Michael turned himself in, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $50,000 bond.

A search warrant was executed at Michael's house, where police found more than five pill bottles, scales, razor blades, and tools used to grind pills into powder. Michael's wife filed for divorce, and his current address was listed at an RV park. There were also suspicions that Michael might have been drugging his wife to keep her in a deep sleep.

The Heroic Actions of a Brave Girl

The girl who stayed awake and alerted the adults is hailed as a hero. Her quick thinking and courage likely prevented further harm. This case serves as a stark reminder that danger can lurk even in familiar places and underscores the importance of vigilance and communication between parents and children.

The Legal Proceedings

The police investigation revealed chilling details about Michael's actions. The girls recalled the insistence with which Michael had pressed them to drink the smoothies, the white chunks they noticed in the drinks, and the strange behavior he exhibited throughout the night. The thorough search of Michael's home provided concrete evidence of his intentions.

The girls' accounts and the physical evidence collected painted a disturbing picture of a man who had meticulously planned to incapacitate the children. The police swiftly acted on this information, ensuring that Michael was charged with appropriate crimes.

Michael Meyden's trial began in early 2024. The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence, including the testimonies of the girls, their parents, and the medical reports confirming the presence of benzodiazepines in the smoothies. The defense attempted to argue that Michael's actions were misunderstood and that he had no malicious intent. However, the consistency of the girls' accounts and the physical evidence left little room for doubt.

Sentencing

After a two-week trial, the jury found Michael Meyden guilty on all counts. The judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison for each felony count of causing another person to ingest a controlled substance, 15 years for each felony count of applying a Schedule IV controlled substance to the body of a minor, and 5 years for each misdemeanor count of delivering to a minor a Schedule IV controlled substance. The sentences were to be served consecutively, ensuring that Michael Meyden would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Conclusion

The case of Michael Meyden and the sleepover smoothies is a chilling example of how a seemingly ordinary event can turn into a nightmare. Thanks to the bravery of one girl and the swift actions of concerned adults, a potential tragedy was averted.

The unsettling events of that night serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the power of speaking up. The quick thinking and courage of a young girl not only saved herself but also protected her friends from potential harm. This case underscores the need for constant awareness and open communication to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.