Police have launched a homicide investigation after three women died when they ate a Christmas cake – with the force also examining a ‘mysterious white liquid’.
Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, prepared the traditional ‘Bolo de Natal’ festive treat for a family meal on December 23 in Torres, Brazil.
However, her sisters Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, and Neuza’s daughter Tatiana, 43, all died shortly after eating it – with authorities later revealing that 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 rushed to hospital.
Police officer, Marcos Vinicius Veloso, has now said this case is being treated as a homicide, rather than food poisoning.
It’s believed Zeli has spoken to detectives from her hospital bed. However, she has not yet been arrested or charged with any offence.
Officers have previously revealed they were preparing to dig up the body of Zeli’s late husband, Paulo Luiz, who died from a suspected bout of food poisoning in September.
Seven members of the family were eating the cake in Zeli’s home on the coast of Brazil. Only one person, who has not been named, did not eat the festive bake.
Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, pictured, who is in hospital, baked the Christmas cake which poisoned her family
Police are now preparing to dig up the body of Zeli’s late husband, Paulo Luiz, who died months earlier from a suspected bout of food poisoning in September
The Christmas cake, pictured, eaten by the three women before they died
Blood tests carried out by doctors revealed arsenic in the blood of some of the victims, a potent poison the symptoms of which cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
On Friday, police carried out search warrants at the homes of those involved in the case.
The officer in charge of the homicide investigation reportedly said that the evidence collected so far indicates a case of manslaughter – when there is no intention to kill.
Mr Veloso said: ‘With the evidence we have collected, we do not know whether the poisoning was negligent or intentional.
‘So far, I have not been able to find any intentional conduct. However, other evidence that comes to light may contradict what I think now.
‘This is an investigation that requires great caution.’
However, the force is continuing to look into the tragic deaths as murder.
Officers have spoken to more than 10 people who have told of a good family relationship.
Mr Veloso added: ‘We are working mainly by hearing from all the people who had contact with the family to understand this family life. In short, the statements are that the family lived in harmony.
‘This leads us to believe, so far, that there was no malicious conduct.’
It’s believed Zeli, pictured, has spoken to detectives from her hospital bed. However, she has not yet been arrested or charged with any offence
It’s believed Zeli, pictured, ate two cake slices and was the first one to be taken to hospital after becoming severely ill. She is set to be further questioned by local police once released
Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos, 43, pictured, died following having the Christmas cake on December 23
Police said Zeli was the only person who ate two cake slices and was the first one to be taken to hospital after becoming severely ill – where she remains in stable condition.
She has reportedly told police she bought some the ingredients on Monday before the gathering.
Zeli’s husband died in September due to food poisoning but this wasn’t probed by police as it was considered ‘natural‘. However, police have now launched an investigation and the body will be exhumed.
Tatiana and Maida are believed to have both suffered fatal heart attack while, Neuza died from ‘shock after food poisoning’.
According to the police officer on the case, arsenic was found in Neuza’s body as well as two other victims who survived.
A friend of one of the people who died told a local news channel it was a traditional cake that the family made every year.
Police have carried out an examination of the food eaten by the family and other items in the house, and many of them were expired.
Zeli is thought to have told the authorities about the time and place where the ingredients were purchased.
Tributes have since been paid to Maida, a teacher, hailed as ‘wonderful’ by friends
Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjo, 65, pictured left, was rushed to hospital in critical condition before also dying the following day. Maida Berenice Flores da Silva, 58, pictured right, also died
A police statement to local network, Globo, said: ‘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.’
Samples of these, along with the cake, have been sent to test for poisoning.
It’s understood that once Zeli has been released from hospital, she will be further questioned by investigators from the Civil Police.
Officials from the Hospital Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes de Torres said Tatiana and Maida both died from ‘cardiac arrest’.
While Neuza’s cause of death has been disclosed as ‘shock after food poisoning’.
The 10-year-old boy is believed to be in a stable condition following the tragedy.
Maida is understood to have been a teacher. Tributes have since been paid following her death, with friends hailing her 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.’
The tragedy in Brazil follows a case in Australia in which a woman has been accused of killing her in-laws by allegedly poisoning them with wild mushrooms.
Erin Patterson, 48, is said to have invited her former partner Simon Patterson to her home for the meal on July 29. 2023, with his parents Gail and Tom Patterson, 70, along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian, 68.
A day later, all four guests fell ill. Within a week, three would be dead, the fourth fighting for his life and the 48-year-old woman who cooked the lunch questioned by police amid claims she deliberately poisoned her relatives with wild mushrooms.
Patterson, who did not suffer any ill effects from the meal, previously claimed she had no idea the mushrooms she served were death caps – the most poisonous mushrooms in the world.
However, the 49-year-old has since been charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Her trial is expected to start on April 28, 2025, in the supreme court, sitting in Morwell.