Police have arrested a woman in connection with the fatal poisoning of three family members at a Christmas party in Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, on December 23. Investigators allege that a traditional Christmas cake, laced with arsenic, caused the deaths.
Deise Moura, the daughter-in-law of survivor Zeli Dos Anjos, was detained at her home on suspicion of triple murder and attempted murder. Zeli, who baked the cake, remains hospitalised in critical condition. Her sisters, Maida da Silva, 58, and Neuza Dos Anjos, 65, along with Neuza’s daughter, Tatiana Dos Santos, 43, died shortly after consuming the dessert.
Police chief Marcus Vinicius Veloso disclosed that flour in Zeli’s home tested positive for high arsenic levels, suspected to have been deliberately contaminated. Moura is alleged to have entered Zeli’s house to tamper with the ingredients. Additional substances were reportedly discovered during searches of Moura’s home.
Long-standing disputes between Moura and her mother-in-law, spanning two decades, have been cited as a potential motive. Police are also investigating the death of Zeli’s first husband, Paulo Luis, who died from “food poisoning” last September. His body is set to be exhumed for further analysis.
Director Marguet Mittman confirmed toxic arsenic levels in the victims, with one concentration 350 times above the lethal threshold. Seven people consumed the cake, including Zeli’s 10-year-old great-nephew, who was hospitalised but survived.
The investigation is ongoing, with Moura facing multiple charges, including triple homicide and attempted murder.
[Image created via MidJourney]