Three family members have died after eating a traditional Christmas cake reportedly containing arsenic at a festive gathering in Brazil.
Police are now investigating the deaths and plan to exhume the body of the cake maker’s husband, who died of food poisoning in September.
The tragedy unfolded when seven family members gathered for afternoon tea in Torres, with blood tests later revealing the presence of arsenic in some of the victims.
The cake was reportedly made by Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, who is currently hospitalised after eating two slices of her own creation.
Three family members have died after eating a traditional Christmas cake reportedly containing arsenic at a festive gathering in Brazil (stock image)
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Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos, 43, and Maida Berenice Flores da Silva, 58, died after consuming the cake on December 23.
Their sister, Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjo, 65, was rushed to hospital in critical condition before passing away on Christmas Eve.
According to Hospital Nossa Senhora dos Navegante, Tatiana and Maida both suffered fatal cardiac arrests.
Neuza’s cause of death was recorded as “shock after food poisoning”.
Three other family members, including a 10-year-old boy who remains “clinically stable”, were also taken ill and remain in hospital.
Zeli, who baked the cake annually according to a family friend, was the first to fall severely ill at the gathering.
Police have not yet determined whether the victims were deliberately poisoned.
Officer Marcos Vinicius Veloso, leading the investigation, said there are no records of inheritance disputes or family rows.
Police have examined food items found in the house, with many being expired.
“We even have information that there was mayonnaise there that had expired a year ago,” police told local network Globo.
A suspicious medicine bottle containing white liquid instead of capsules was also discovered and will be examined.
Police are now set to exhume the body of Zeli’s former husband, who died of food poisoning in September.
The potent poison typically causes symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The traditional Christmas cake is typically served plain or garnished with candied fruits, using ingredients such as butter, eggs, brown sugar, and Port wine.
“There were expired products in the residence. A bottle was found, a medicine, which should have had capsules inside it and there was a white liquid and this white liquid will also be examined,” police told Globo.