Woman arrested for Christmas cake poisoning: “searched for arsenic online and mixed in mother-in-law’s flour” before dessert killed 3 people

A woman accused of murdering three of her relatives and attempting to kill three more with a poisoned Christmas cake is alleged to have searched online for information about arsenic in preparation for the horror crime.

Days Moura, the daughter-in-law of one of the women who survived the poisoning, was arrested yesterday at her home in Rio Grande do Sul on suspicion of triple murder and attempted murder.

On December 23, at a Christmas party in the southern city of Torres, mother-in-law Zeli dos Anjos killed three members of her family by making traditional festive sweets.

Brazilian law enforcement officials told RBS TV that initial analysis of Deise Moura’s phone showed “internet searches, including Google Shopping, for arsenic and other similar words.” I admitted it.

The suspect is the daughter-in-law of Zeri dos Anjos, who baked the cake, and is said to have conducted the search in November and several days before the victims died or became ill.

Brazilian media reports pointed to evidence on Ms. Diese’s cell phone as a key part of the case against her.

Earlier today, authorities confirmed that arsenic-laced flour in the cake eaten was the cause of the poisoning.

They said the toxic chemical was present in “extremely high concentrations”, far too high to occur in nature and sufficient to be lethal.

Zeri, a mother of one, is still fighting for her life in hospital, while her two younger sisters Maida da Silva, 58, and Neuza dos Anjos, 65, are still fighting for their lives. , died along with Neuza’s daughter Tatiana dos Santos, 43.

They died within hours of eating the cake, and police chief Marcus Vinicius Veloso announced today that the flour found in Zeri’s home contained large amounts of arsenic.

“It is believed that the arrested person entered Zeri’s home and subsequently contaminated the flour,” investigators revealed at a press conference today.

Police and forensic investigators confirmed “high concentrations” of arsenic were found in the cake and in the blood and urine of the deceased and survivors.

Veloso added that other substances were also found during a search of the suspect’s Nova Santa Rita home, but said he could not comment further as testing and investigation are still ongoing.

Police said the “disagreements” between the suspect and Zeri date back some 20 years, but declined to specify what they were, other than to say “further elements will be announced in due course.” refused.

When asked about his family’s situation, Veloso said, “I have known for several years that there was a minor disagreement between the suspect and his family.”

“At first glance, everyone at the party seemed close and friendly, but further investigation revealed a possible motive behind this poisoning.

Police also confirmed that they plan to exhume the body of Zeri’s husband Paulo, who died of “food poisoning” in September last year, to determine whether there were traces of arsenic in his body.

Veloso added: “We have very strong and solid evidence that she was behind this crime, and we know why, but we cannot go into details yet.”

Marget Mittman, director of the Institute of General Expertise (IGP), said the source of the contamination was flour used to make the cakes consumed by the victims.

“Very high levels of arsenic were found in the three victims,” ​​she told a news conference. It is so high that it is toxic and deadly.

“For reference, 35 micrograms is enough to cause death. One of the victims had a concentration 350 times higher.”

She added that 89 samples were collected from the home of the woman who made the cake, but only the flour sample showed high levels of arsenic.

Brazil’s Ministry of Justice confirmed to Mail Online today that an arrest warrant had been issued for Diese on charges of “triple murder without motive and the use of poisonous substances and three counts of attempted murder with double aggravation.”

“The suspect will have a detention hearing Monday afternoon,” the ministry statement added.

Police are said to have begun investigating Deese after an apparent argument with a relative at the victim’s funeral last month.

Diese is said to have placed a “rosary and a set of roses” in the hands of Maida and Tatiana as they lay in their coffins at the cemetery. As told online: “Why are you here?” You didn’t like any of them. Everyone knows.

The source added: “Diego and Daise have been estranged from other members of the family in recent months.” They didn’t really participate much. I felt nervous. ”

Tatiana’s 10-year-old son, Zeri’s great-nephew Mateus, was treated at the hospital and released on Friday. Maida’s husband, Jefferson, was also treated, but Noiza’s husband, Joan, had a cake. I didn’t eat any of it and had no ill effects.

Reports in Brazil have pointed out that the suspect and Zeri had had an argument in the past, which is said to be related to the subsequent incident, and police believe that the suspect is behind the terror poisoning. I’m trying to find out more about what I’m thinking.

This comes after MailOnline revealed that Ms Zeri’s first husband, Paulo Ruiz, 68, died after eating a contaminated banana, and authorities are planning to release the virus next week as part of the investigation. The body is expected to be exhumed from the burial site on Thursday.

On December 23, Zeri made the cake at the beachfront property and took it to Maida’s apartment for a party, but police seized dried fruits, flour and other ingredients, as well as pesticides at her home. did.

Police said last week that they were “not aware of any family dispute” but were keeping an open mind while awaiting clinical test results, which are expected to be known in due course. It was announced that arsenic had been detected in his blood.

Investigators confirmed that the body will be exhumed next Thursday for further analysis, as nothing was taken from the body after doctors at Torres Hospital determined that Paulo died of food poisoning.

Family members told MailOnline that he and Zeri suddenly fell ill after eating mashed bananas grown from plants in their garden, which were contaminated after flooding hit the area in May. It is said that there is a possibility.

Zeri was also taken to the hospital at the time and recovered, but Paulo died within hours of being admitted.

A group of seven people at a Christmas party complained that the cake she baked had a “bitter and peppery taste”, and within minutes they were all vomiting, and an ambulance was called to take them to the hospital. It was discovered.

Maida, a retired teacher, was the first to die on Christmas Eve, followed by Noisa a few hours later, followed by her daughter Tatiana.

Tatiana’s son and Zeri’s 10-year-old great-nephew Mateus also fell ill and spent a week in intensive care, before being transferred from Torres’ Senhora dos Navegantes Hospital to the pediatric ward on Friday night.

Paulo’s brother Joan (married to Noisa) did not eat any of the cake, but Maida’s husband, Jefferson, took a few bites and became ill, but did not require hospitalization.

Just days ago, Mr Jefferson’s sister Isabel Moraes, 54, told MailOnline that she believed it was someone with a “grudge” who targeted the family, describing the tragedy as “bizarre”. said exclusively.

When asked by MailOnline for her reaction to the arrest, she said: “The whole family is in shock.” I don’t know what to say to someone who is so close to us and whom we never imagined. ”