Tragic Christmas: Three Women Die After Eating Poisonous Cake in Brazil

The Incident

In a devastating turn of events, three members of the dos Anjos family tragically lost their lives after consuming a homemade Christmas cake, known as Bolo de Natal, during a family gathering in Torres, Brazil. This unsettling incident occurred on December 23, 2024, prompting investigations by local police.

The victims, Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos (43), Maida Berenice Flores da Silva (58), and Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjos (65), suffered severe health crises after eating the cake. Reports indicate that Tatiana and Maida both succumbed to cardiac arrest shortly after partaking in the dessert, while Neuza was hospitalized and later died from what was ruled as shock after poisoning.

The Aftermath

Following the deaths, three additional family members were hospitalized, including a 10-year-old boy and Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos (61), the baker of the cake who was the first to report symptoms after eating two slices. Blood tests conducted revealed traces of arsenic—a toxic heavy metal—in the bloodstream of the deceased and surviving family members, intensifying the investigation.

Investigation Details

The Brazilian civil police have launched a thorough investigation not only into the tragedy of the recent deaths but also into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Zeli's late husband, who died earlier in September from food poisoning. Authorities are now requesting his body be exhumed for further analysis to uncover potential links between both incidents.

Several expired food products were discovered in Zeli’s household, including a suspicious medicine bottle that should have contained capsules but instead held a white liquid. Police officials are analyzing both the expired products and the mysterious liquid found in the home as part of their investigation.

A Family Tradition Turned Sour

The dos Anjos family had a long-standing tradition of preparing Bolo de Natal for their holiday celebrations. According to reports, a family friend noted, “It was a traditional family cake, a king cake, which they always, always, always made.” However, this annual celebration turned into a nightmare, leading to three unnecessary deaths.

Authorities have verified that no known family disputes or issues existed leading up to this catastrophic event, which raises further questions about the possible causes for the contamination of the cake.

Conclusion

This tragic occurrence highlights the critical importance of food safety and vigilance, particularly during festive gatherings. As the investigation continues, the community rallies in support of the affected family, hoping to bring clarity to these shocking developments and ensuring such tragedies do not happen again in the future.

The situation remains under scrutiny, with police stating, “The evidence collected from the household, especially those involving the food consumed during the gathering, will be crucial in determining accountability.”

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