A Brazilian woman faces triple homicide charges after police say she poisoned a Christmas cake, resulting in the deaths of three family members and the hospitalization of three others, the New York Post reports.
The incident occurred during a family gathering in Torres on December 23.
Two women, Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos, 43, and Maida Berenice Flores da Silva, 58, died from cardiac arrest after consuming the cake. Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjos, 65, died the following day on Christmas Eve. Her cause of death was listed as “shock after poisoning” by the Hospital Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes de Torres.
Tests revealed arsenic in the victims’ blood, the cake, and its ingredients, according to police official Marcos Veloso. Surviving family members described the cake as having an “unpleasant” and “spicy” taste.
The suspect, whose identity police have not released, reportedly researched arsenic online before the incident, RBS TV reported. Local media identified the suspect as the daughter-in-law of one of the hospitalized victims, Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, who baked the cake. Two other family members, a husband and 10-year-old boy, were also hospitalized but have since been released.
Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos remains hospitalized in stable condition. Police have ordered the exhumation of her husband, who died in September from what was initially ruled as natural causes due to food poisoning. Authorities are investigating a possible connection.
Forensic police director Marguet Mittman stated that the arsenic levels in the three deceased victims were extremely high, with one victim having 350 times the lethal dose.
While police official Marcos Veloso hasn’t established a motive, he noted the family appeared to have a “very harmonious” relationship, though it might have been strained by ongoing “differences.”
