A 61-year-old woman prepared a “poisoned” Christmas cake, which resulted in the death of her two sisters and a niece. Her photo was released.
Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, from Torres, Brazil, prepared a traditional Christmas cake for a festive family meal on December 23.
However, her sisters Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, and Neuza’s daughter Tatiana, 43, all died shortly after eating the cake.
Also, three more family members, including the 61-year-old herself and a 10-year-old boy, fell ill and were also hospitalized.
The cake had arsenic
Now, it has emerged that traces of the toxic metal arsenic were present in the bodies of the three women who died. Police also announced an exhumation of the body of Zelli’s husband, Paolo Luiz, who reportedly died in September of food poisoning.
The 10-year-old boy is reported to be in stable condition. Seven family members were eating the cake at the 61-year-old’s home on the coast of Brazil. Only one person, who has not been named, did not eat the cake.
Blood tests carried out revealed arsenic in the blood of some of the victims, a powerful poison whose symptoms cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Officer Marcos Vinicius Veloso, who is leading the case, said there was no evidence of inheritance disputes or disputes between family members. It is believed that Jelly ate two slices of cake and was the first to be taken to hospital after becoming seriously ill. The woman remains in hospital in stable condition.
He reportedly told police he bought some ingredients on Monday before the family gathering. Police have yet to determine whether the victims were poisoned on purpose or accidentally.
According to the Nossa Senhora dos Navegante Hospital, Tatiana and Maida both died of cardiac arrest, while Neuza died of “shock after food poisoning”.
According to the police spokesman, the case is being investigated and officers are working on two cases: food poisoning or poisoning. Coroners are carrying out a series of tests that could shed light on the mystery. The results are expected next week.
Source: www.diaforetiko.gr
