Police in Brazil are investigating the shocking deaths of a mother and daughter who allegedly died after eating a poisoned birthday cake.
52-year-old Ana Maria de Jesus and her 21-year-old daughter Larissa de Jesus Castilho were rushed to hospital after consuming a slice of cake that had been delivered to them by a family member. Sadly, both women died soon after, and toxicology tests revealed the presence of pesticides in their systems.
According to investigators, suspicion quickly fell on Ana Maria’s niece Patricia and her partner Leonardo, after detectives discovered troubling online searches on their mobile phones. These included phrases such as “heart attack causes convulsions” and “intoxication from cleaning product.”
Despite police requests for their arrest, a judge has reportedly refused to detain the pair, though reasons for the decision have not been made public.
Footage shows Leonardo arriving on his motorbike a day after the birthday celebration to drop off a slice of cake for Ana Maria’s sister, who had missed the event due to illness. After eating the cake, she reportedly fell violently ill and was later hospitalized at São Paulo’s Heliopolis Hospital.
Larissa and a 16-year-old cousin—who also ate the cake but survived—had consumed their portions later that night after visiting Ana Maria in hospital.
The São Paulo Secretariat of Public Security confirmed that a homicide unit is leading the investigation, stating:
“On October 8, search and seizure warrants were executed, resulting in the confiscation of mobile phones now undergoing data analysis.”
Initial findings leaked to local media revealed incriminating searches and the confirmed presence of toxic substances. Patricia reportedly told police she does not remember performing the searches. Investigators believe the motive may be connected to an unpaid debt, as Ana Maria was known to frequently lend money to her niece and her partner.
Brazil has faced several poisoning scandals in recent months. Earlier this year, a law student, Ana Paula Veloso Fernandes, was accused of testing poison on dogs before allegedly killing four people over a five-year period.
In another tragic case last December, a Christmas cake poisoning in Rio Grande do Sul left three people dead and several others hospitalized. The cake had been baked with arsenic-laced flour, and one suspect later took her own life in custody.
Authorities continue to investigate the latest suspected poisoning, which has once again shocked the nation.
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