Brazilian police have opened a homicide investigation after three family members died from consuming a Christmas cake believed to be laced with arsenic.
The cake’s baker, Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, fell ill after eating two slices and remains hospitalized, while her sisters Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, and niece Tatiana, 43, died following the December 23 incident.
A 10-year-old great-nephew is also hospitalised, and one other family member recovered. Investigators found a suspicious white liquid at Zeli’s home and are examining whether the deaths were intentional or accidental.
Authorities are also planning to exhume the body of Zeli’s late husband, who died earlier this year from suspected food poisoning.
