Baker who made 'arsenic-laced' Christmas cake that killed three women pictured for first time
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A woman who baked a "poisoned" Christmas cake that killed three people has been pictured for the first time. Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, 61, from Torres, in southern Brazil, baked a traditional Christmas cake as part of a festive meal for the family on December 23. But shortly after eating the cake, her sisters Maida, 57, and Neuza, 65, as well as Neuza's daughter Tatiana, 43, died.
Tatiana and Maida died the same day after consuming the cake, while Neuza was hospitalsied in a critical condition before dying the following day. Three others, including Zeli and a 10-year-old boy, fell ill and were taken to hospital. It has since emerged that traces of the toxic metal arsenic were found in the bodies of the three women.
Zeli is believed to have eaten two slices of the cake and was the first to be taken to the hospital after which she became seriously ill. She remains in a stable condition. The 10-year-old, who is believed to be Tatiana's son, is believed to be in a stable condition.
According to police, seven people from the same family were gathered at the house having an afternoon coffee when they began to feel unwell. Only one person who was present at the family meal, who has not been named, did not eat any of the cake. The cake was collected as evidence and will be analysed.
The Civil Police are awaiting results to identify what could have caused the deaths of the three women, though it has been reported that traces of arsenic have been found in their systems. Another investigation has been opened by police, who now plan to exhume the remains of Zeli's husband, who died in September, allegedly due to food poisoning.
