On December 23, a Brazilian family began eating a Christmas "Bolo de Natal" cake. Soon, however, each of the family members began to fall ill and, unfortunately, three of them died as a result. Investigations carried out by local authorities found what was described as a "mysterious white liquid" in the cake. Turns out, the deceased individuals' blood revealed traces of arsenic.
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Zeli Terezinha Silva do Anjos, is the 61-year-old woman who prepared the cake. Her sisters, Maida and Neuza, 58 and 65, respectively, and Neuza's daughter, Tatiana, 43, all tragically died after consuming the festive treat, according to the Daily Mail. Zeli herself ate two slices of the cake, and alongside two other family members, including a 10-year-old boy, were rushed to the hospital and have not died as a result of the alleged poisoning.
Police reportedly interviewed Zeli at her hospital bed and the 10-year-old boy is in stable condition. Police are inclined to believe that the deaths were not intentional, as evidence could suggest a case of manslaughter. Officer Veloso, the officer in charge of the investigation, shed some light on the case.
"With the evidence we have collected, we do not know whether the poisoning was negligent or intentional," he said, according to the Daily Mail, "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."
Veloso would then say that the family was living in "harmony" and that there was "no malicious conduct" in connection with the incident. Police concluded that Maida and Tatiana died of heart attacks while Neuza died of food poisoning shock.
Strange Circumstances
While investigations continue, there are other details surrounding the case that can potentially become problematic. Police investigated the scene and found many expired products, and they even issued a statement about their findings. Reportedly, Zeli provided details to police regarding the products and their purchase date.
"We even have information that there was mayonnaise there that had expired a year ago," police said. "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."
Back in September, Zeli's husband, Paulo Luiz, died of food poisoning. Now, police will exhume the body and examine it, following investigations related to the deaths of Maida, Neuza, and Tatiana.
