A woman accused of fatally poisoning three family members with a Christmas cake was found dead in her prison cell in Brazil. The incident took place on Christmas Eve in the city of Torres, situated in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Deise Moura dos Anjos, who faced charges of triple homicide and three counts of attempted homicide, was discovered lifeless in her solitary cell at a women's state prison in Guaíba.
The tragic series of events began with the poisoning that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, while three others required hospitalization. Investigations revealed significant amounts of arsenic in the deceased women's bodies. The flour used for the cake was found to contain arsenic levels 2,700 times above the permissible limit. Dos Anjos, who was apprehended in early January, was the daughter-in-law of one victim, Zeli dos Anjos, aged 60, who had baked the contaminated cake.
The family had a history of longstanding disagreements with Dos Anjos, stretching over two decades. Following her arrest, she was charged with the heinous crime that shocked the local community. Her demise adds a layer of complexity to an already convoluted case.
"Deise was alone in the cell. The circumstances will be investigated by the Civil Police and the General Institute of Expertise," said Criminal police.
The discovery of Dos Anjos' body comes shortly after her husband, Diego, reportedly requested a divorce. This development has fueled speculation about the possible motivations and circumstances surrounding both the poisoning and her death. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to determine whether foul play was involved or if other factors contributed to her death.
The Civil Police and the General Institute of Expertise are conducting thorough examinations to uncover further details. Meanwhile, CNN has reached out to local police for additional comments on this perplexing case that has captivated public attention.
