Deise Moura dos Anjos, 42, suspected in a horrifying poisoning case where three relatives died after consuming a cake laced with arsenic, was found dead in her jail cell. Brazilian authorities are investigating the incident, which follows accusations of premeditated murder and the exhumation of another possible victim.
Christmas Cake Poisoning Suspect Found Dead in Brazilian Jail
Christmas Cake Poisoning Suspect Found Dead in Brazilian Jail
The woman accused of murdering six relatives through a poisoned Christmas cake has allegedly taken her own life in custody.
In a shocking turn of events, Deise Moura dos Anjos, a 42-year-old Brazilian woman accused of poisoning several family members with a Christmas cake, has been found dead in her prison cell. Authorities believe her death is likely a suicide. Moura dos Anjos had been in pre-trial detention since January following serious accusations of murdering three relatives on Christmas Eve and the attempted murder of three more.
All victims reportedly consumed from the cake, which forensic examinations confirmed was baked using flour contaminated with arsenic, a potent poison. Authorities are also revisiting the potential poisoning of her father-in-law, who died in September. Reports indicate that forensic experts unearthed his body and detected alarming levels of arsenic, leading to suspicions of foul play.
Despite Moru dos Anjos consistently denying any involvement in the crime, local police chief Cléber dos Santos Lima asserted last month that there was compelling evidence to suggest she intentionally bought and used the poison. Investigative findings revealed that she had procured arsenic on at least four occasions.
Police launched a thorough investigation that included testing various food items from the home of Moura dos Anjos's mother-in-law, who had prepared the fatal cake. It was there they discovered dangerously high arsenic levels in the flour used, while the mother-in-law, Zeli dos Anjos, who also sampled the cake, survived despite serious illness. However, two of her sisters and one niece tragically lost their lives. Additionally, a 10-year-old boy and the husband of a sister, almost fell victim to the arsenic-laced treat but made full recoveries.
