In Brazil, a woman is suspected of poisoning her family with arsenic. Three people died after eating Christmas cake at a family gathering. Three others became ill.
It was not the woman who baked the cake who was arrested, but her daughter-in-law. She is suspected of adding highly toxic arsenic to the flour. According to researcher Marco Veloso, the family members noticed a “spicy” and “unpleasant” taste upon consumption. The baker then asked her to leave the cake better – but in vain.
Six family members had to be taken to hospital. Two sisters (58, 65 years old) and the 65-year-old’s 43-year-old daughter died within hours. The third sister (61) is still in hospital and doctors say her condition is stable. The husband of one of the deceased and a ten-year-old boy, whose mother and grandmother died, have now been released from hospital.
Another fatal accident?
“35 micrograms of arsenic is enough to kill a human. In one of the victims, the concentration was 350 times higher,” said Marguet Mittman, head of the forensic medicine department in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Studies also showed very high levels in cake scraps and flour.
The police have now also had the body of the suspect’s deceased husband exhumed. His death in September was attributed to “food poisoning” but was not investigated. The most recent incident took place on December 23 in the southern Brazilian city of Torres.
The motive for the crime is still unclear. Veloso said the family had long had disagreements.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
