Bombshell twist in cake mystery as baker of fatal treat that killed 3 at family meal was in ‘bitter feud with relative’
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AUTHORITIES investigating the Christmas food poisoning that claimed the lives of three family members in southern Brazil are set to reveal a bombshell development today. Detectives are now linking the tragic deaths to a long-standing family feud involving the woman accused of baking the arsenic-laced cake.
![[Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos was accused of baking the cake that killed her sisters and niece]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/6a022c5c-4bb4-4ef0-88f0-61a8698585dc.jpg?strip=all&w=395)
Deise Moura, the 39-year-old daughter-in-law of Zeli dos Anjos, was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of triple murder and attempted murder. Moura allegedly baked the deadly Christmas dessert at Zeli’s home before bringing it to a family gathering in Torres, in Rio Grande do Sul state, on December 23.
![[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 case has taken a darker turn with reports of a history of disputes between Zeli and Deise. Investigators now believe the poisoning may have been the result of a simmering family conflict. Details of the alleged feud are expected to be disclosed during a press conference today in Capão da Canoa.
![[Sisters Zeli (left), Maida (centre), and Neuza (right), all ate the Christmas cake]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/42c478a2-ece5-4784-97dd-3919b64bdb3b.jpg?strip=all&w=563)
The festive gathering turned into a nightmare when Zeli’s two sisters, Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, along with Neuza’s 43-year-old daughter, Tatiana, fell ill and died within hours. Zeli, 61, and her 10-year-old great-nephew Matheus were also hospitalised, with Zeli still fighting for her life after eating two slices of the poisoned cake.
![[Deise Moura (pictured) is reportedly being held by police on murder charges]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BOOSTED_Deise_Moura_CMH_01062025001jpg-JS961799528.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Initial lab tests confirmed high levels of arsenic in the blood of those who ate the deadly dessert, which was described as having an odd “spicy" and "peppery” flavour. Whilst arsenic is a highly toxic substance without any smell or taste, the spiciness found is not common for sweet cakes.
![[Zeli and her sisters 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)
