Homicide probe over three deaths from ‘arsenic-laced Christmas cake’

Police have launched a homicide probe into the deaths of three people after they ate Christmas cake that is believed to have been laced with arsenic.

Police in Brazil have officially launched a homicide probe into the deaths of three people after they ate Christmas cake that is believed to have been laced with arsenic.

Investigators found a bottle of “mysterious white liquid” in the home of the cake’s baker, Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61.

Local media reports the cops upgraded their investigation into the killer cake — in which six people from the same family fell ill — from food poisoning to homicide.

Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos baked the cake that killed her sisters and niece. Picture: Facebook

Detectives said right now the case is likely manslaughter — but they are also investigating if the toxic cake was an intentional homicide, reports GZH.

Zeli, who baked the Bolo de Natal traditional cake, fell ill after reportedly eating two slices and remains in hospital in Torres, Brazil.

But her two sisters Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, along with her niece Tatiana, 43, all died after eating the baked treat on December 23.

Zeli and her sisters who both died from the ‘killer cake’. Picture: Facebook

Zeli’s 10-year-old great nephew is also hospitalised after eating a piece, and another unnamed family member — understood to be Tatiana’s husband — was released.

A seventh member of the family at the party did not eat the cake and escaped any sickness.

And cops are planning to exhume the body of Zeli’s husband Paulo Luiz — who died months ago from suspected “food poisoning”.

Zeli’s husband Paulo also died of food poisoning in September. Picture: Facebook

Lead investigator Marcos Vinicius Veloso, from Torres Police Station, announced the case has been upgraded to homicide.

He said cops have taken 10 statements from other family members — but for now, there is “no malicious conduct”.

Detectives also raided six properties of people involved in the poisoning on Friday.

The family were reportedly happy with no disputes. Picture: Facebook

And it was at Zeli’s home they discovered an unidentified bottle of “whitish liquid”.

The liquid has been sent for examination by the Toxicology Information Centre.

The Civil Police said that traces of arsenic had been found in the blood of the victims.

Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal and can be used in insecticides and rat poison.

Another report states police are probing whether the poison may have been added by mistake, reports Correio do Povo.

It is said there are no records of rows or disputes between the family.

But hanging over the case is the police’s plane to examine the remains of Zeli’s husband.

He died suddenly in September after a suspected bout of food poisoning.

But after the cake tragedy, police want to re-examine his death to see if there is a connection.

Zeli has been interviewed by police from her hospital bed — and told the police that she bought many of the ingredients on Monday, December 23.

But cops found many foods eaten by the family at the house were expired.

They have discovered a jar of mayonnaise that had expired a year ago.

There was also a bottle of tablets which was empty, along with the mysterious bottle of white liquid.

Zeli will be questioned again once she has been released from hospital.

The investigation continues.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Homicide probe over three deaths from ‘arsenic-laced Christmas cake’