Three family members (sisters and niece) died before the holidays after eating a traditional Brazilian Christmas cake, baked by Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, during a Christmas gathering.
The death comes after the Zeli’s husband died from eating cake.
Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos (43) and Maida Berenice Flores da Silva (58) suffered cardiac arrest after consuming the Christmas cake called, ‘Bolo de Natal’. 65-year-old, Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjos, who also ate the cake, died a day later due to “shock after poisoning.”
Three other relatives who consumed the cake, Zeli, a 10-year-old boy, and an unidentified person, were hospitalized after falling ill. There has been no update on their condition.
The three mysterious death prompts the Brazilian police to investigate the death of Zeli’s husband, who also died in September from eating the cake. Previous investigations determined that he died from food poisoning.
According to Brazilian television channel Globo, initial laboratory tests found traces of arsenic were present in the three ladies bodies.
Police found several expired food products, including medicine with no capsules and a medicine bottle containing a white liquid (that’s being examined), at Ms. Zeli’s home.
The police reported no inheritance disputes or family disagreements among the family.
A friend of the family said the cake has always been the traditional family cake in family celebrations and gatherings.