Authorities investigate suspected arsenic poisoning after three family members died from cake
Three family members tragically lost their lives in Torres, Brazil, after consuming a Christmas cake that was allegedly laced with arsenic. The incident, which occurred during a festive gathering, has shocked the local community and raised serious questions about the safety of homemade food.
On Monday afternoon, five people from the same family ate slices of the cake, made by one of the women in the household. Soon after, they began to feel unwell, with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. The family rushed to the Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes Hospital, where medical staff confirmed the severity of their condition. Tragically, two sisters, 58-year-old Maida Berenice Flores da Silva and 43-year-old Tatiana Denize Silva dos Santos, died from cardiac arrest.
A third victim, 65-year-old Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjos, passed away later in the evening, having gone into shock from food poisoning. The woman who made the cake and a 10-year-old boy also tested positive for arsenic but are still alive, receiving treatment in the hospital.
The Civil Police launched an investigation into the incident, and preliminary tests confirmed the presence of arsenic in the blood of the deceased and the survivors. The authorities also found expired food items during a search of the woman’s home, raising further concerns about the safety of the ingredients used in the cake.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have sent the cake for further analysis, with results expected by next week. Investigators have also requested the exhumation of the woman’s late husband, who had died in September after suffering from what was initially thought to be natural food poisoning. Authorities suspect that there could be a connection between his death and the recent tragedy.
While the woman who baked the cake is not yet considered a suspect, she is the focus of the investigation. Reports suggest she ate two slices of the cake, which may have contributed to the higher levels of arsenic found in her blood. Some family members have said that the cake had a peculiar “peppery” taste, which may have been a clue to the contamination.
As the investigation progresses, the community remains in shock, and the family’s tragic loss has sparked a wider conversation about the dangers of foodborne poisoning and the potential risks associated with homemade treats. Authorities have assured the public that they are doing everything they can to uncover the truth behind the poisoning and bring clarity to the devastating event.
