A Christmas gathering in the southern Brazilian city of Torres took a tragic turn when a seemingly innocuous festive cake resulted in the hospitalization of six family members and the subsequent deaths of three. Zeli dos Anjos, 61, prepared the traditional “Bolo de Natal” cake on December 23rd at her holiday home in the beach resort of Arroio do Sal. What was meant to be a celebratory treat became a source of inexplicable illness, prompting a police investigation into the cause of the poisonings.
The victims, Maida, 58, Neuza, 65, and Neuza’s daughter Tatiana, 43, all succumbed to the effects of the ingested toxin, with traces of arsenic later discovered in their bodies. Zeli, along with two other family members, including a 10-year-old child, were also hospitalized but survived. While Zeli’s condition remains stable, the young child is expected to make a full recovery. The incident cast a pall over the holiday season, leaving the surviving family members grappling with the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved ones.
Torres-based police chief Marcos Vinicius Veloso indicated that the investigation is focusing on the possibility of contaminated ingredients used in the cake. Zeli had reportedly been away from her holiday home for a period, during which a power outage occurred, causing the refrigerator to malfunction and spoil the food inside. Although some spoiled items were discarded, others, including currants and crystalized fruits, were retained. Investigators are working to determine if these ingredients, potentially contaminated with bacteria due to the power outage, were subsequently used in the Christmas cake, leading to the arsenic poisoning.
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Zeli’s husband, Paulo Luiz, had passed away in September from suspected food poisoning. While his death was not considered suspicious at the time, the recent events have prompted authorities to exhume his body for a thorough post-mortem examination. This will allow investigators to determine if there is any connection between his death and the current poisonings, and potentially shed light on the source and nature of the arsenic contamination. The investigation remains ongoing, with police carefully examining all possibilities, including whether the poisoning was accidental or intentional.
The tragic incident has deeply affected the local community, particularly given the festive occasion and the close-knit nature of the family involved. Jefferson, Maida’s husband and one of the survivors, expressed the family’s disbelief at the possibility of Zeli intentionally harming her relatives. He, along with the other surviving family members, are cooperating with the investigation, providing crucial information to help determine the exact sequence of events leading to the tragedy. The investigation is expected to continue as authorities await the results of the post-mortem examination and further analysis of the contaminated food items.
This case underscores the importance of food safety practices, especially in situations involving power outages and potential food spoilage. While arsenic poisoning is relatively rare, it highlights the potential dangers of consuming contaminated food. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in handling and storing perishable items, particularly during periods of power disruption. As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge, providing a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and potentially offering valuable lessons in food safety and prevention of similar incidents in the future.
