Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, from Torres, Brazil, prepared a traditional “Bolo de Natal” Christmas cake for a festive family meal on December 23 – but her sisters and niece died after eating it
The husband of a woman who baked a Christmas cake said to have contained arsenic is to be exhumed, police said.
Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos’ partner Paulo Luiz died in September but his body will be dug up as part of the investigation into the deaths of Zeli’s two sisters and niece. Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, and Neuza’s daughter Tatiana, 43, ate some of the festive cake Zeli baked on December 23 but fell ill and, after they died this week, traces of the toxic metal arsenic were found in their bodies.
Three other family members, including Zeli herself and a 10-year-old boy – believed to be Tatiana’s son – fell ill and were also rushed to hospital in Torres, a coastal city in southern Brazil. Authorities there continue to investigate the deaths and confirmed Zeli, who is still in hospital, has not been arrested or charged with anything.
The police force’s statement, given to local network Globo, said: “We opened a police investigation and we are going to exhume this man’s body to check whether there was also poisoning. We even have information that there was mayonnaise there that had expired a year ago. There were expired products in the residence. A bottle was found, a medicine, which should have had capsules inside it and there were no capsules – there was a white liquid and this white liquid will also be examined.”
Seven members of the family ate the cake in Zeli’s home on December 23, it is understood. Only one person, who has not been named, did not eat the festive bake.
Blood tests carried out by doctors revealed arsenic in the blood of some of the victims, a potent poison which causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Police suspect poisoning but are yet to confirm whether this was the case.
Local media says Tatiana and Maida both suffered fatal heart attacks while, Neuza died from “shock after food poisoning”. Zeli, though, who reportedly had two slices of the cake, is in a stable condition in hospital. The 10-year-old boy is also believed to be in a stable condition.
Tributes have poured in for, Maida understood to have been a teacher Friends hailed the 58-year-old woman a “wonderful person”. One co-worker and friend wrote: “She was my colleague, she is my friend and my sweetheart! To be special and much loved by us all!! It’s unbelievable… strength to all of us, friends and family.” Neighbours and friends in Torres, a city popular with tourists for its sandy beaches, will be interviewed in due course, it is believed.
