Bitter daughter-in-law ‘searched for arsenic online before spiking flour used in deadly dessert’ that killed three
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THE bitter daughter-in-law accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned Christmas cake reportedly searched online for arsenic in the days leading up to the tragedy. Brazilian officials revealed that an initial analysis of Deise Moura's phone uncovered searches for "arsenic" and related terms on Google shopping.
![[Deise Moura was arrested on suspicion of triple homicide and attempted murder]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/7a6eb74e-6f3a-42a4-8440-1701b799b60d.jpg?strip=all&w=813)
These searches, allegedly conducted in November and just days before the victims fell ill or died, are now a critical piece of evidence in the case against her. Moura, the daughter-in-law of Zeli dos Anjos — who baked the dessert— was arrested at her home in Rio Grande do Sul on suspicion of triple homicide and attempted murder.
![[The Christmas dessert is feared to have been laced with arsenic]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/three-family-members-unwell-eating-960084738_91d64a.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The cake, eaten during a family Christmas party on December 23 in Torres, claimed the lives of Zeli’s sisters Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, as well as Neuza’s daughter, 43-year-old Tatiana. Authorities confirmed that the source of the poisoning was flour contaminated with arsenic at "extremely high concentrations" - levels that were lethal and far too high to be naturally occurring.
![[Zeli (centre) and her sisters Maida (right) and Neuza (left) who both died from the 'killer cake']](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/54228af9-5143-4408-a5d4-eabd0bfbe3bd.jpg?strip=all&w=567)
Forensic experts determined the toxic substance had been deliberately introduced. Zeli, who also consumed the cake, remains in hospital recovering from the poisoning. Her 10-year-old great-nephew Matheus and another relative, Maida’s husband Jefferson, survived the ordeal but required medical attention.
![[Moura reportedly searched for 'arsenic' and related terms on Google Shopping]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BOOSTED_Deise_Moura_CMH_01062025001jpg-JS961799528.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Police chief Marcus Vinicius Veloso stated that evidence suggests Moura entered Zeli’s home and tampered with the flour used for the cake. “We suspect the individual arrested entered Zeli’s house and then contaminated the flour,” he revealed during a press conference.
![[Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos is fighting for her life in hospital]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/6a022c5c-4bb4-4ef0-88f0-61a8698585dc.jpg?strip=all&w=395)
