Daughter-in-law of woman who baked Christmas cake that killed three people is arrested

6 January 2025, 09:05

Deise Moura has been arrested on suspicion of killing her relatives with a poisonous Christmas cake
Deise Moura has been arrested on suspicion of killing her relatives with a poisonous Christmas cake. Picture: Social Media

By Asher McShane

The daughter-in-law of a woman who baked a Christmas cake that left three of her relatives dead has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Deise Moura was arrested yesterday at her home in southern Brazil.

Her mother-in-law Zeli Dos Anjos made a traditional Brazilian Christmas cake - but after it was served at a family meal her two sisters and her niece died.

They were taken ill at a party at Torres near Porto Alegre on December 23.

Zeli is still in hospital fighting for life.

Read more: Quarter of voters regret backing Sir Keir Starmer and winter fuel axe ‘worse than Partygate’, poll for LBC shows

Read more: NHS app upgrade to give patients more choice over treatments as Labour makes bid to cut waiting times

Her two sisters Maida da Silva, 58, and Neuza Dos Anjos, 65, both died along with Neuza’s daughter Tatiana Dos Santos, 43. Zeli’s great nephew, 10, was also taken ill.

Maida’s husband tried the cake and immediately fell ill. Neuza’s husband didn’t eat any of it.

A police spokesman said: “The woman was arrested for triple homicide and a triple attempted homicide.

“She was taken initially to a police station at Canoas, then to Torres police station and is now in the women’s jail in the city, at this moment we cannot say anything else.”

Provisional reports revealed arsenic was found in the blood of the victims.

According to reports, members of the group complained the cake tasted ‘bitter and peppery’ after eating it, and within minutes they were all vomiting. Multiple ambulances were called and they were rushed to hospital.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Russel Brand

Comedian and actor Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assaults

Prison nurse, 27, suspended over 'fling with drug-dealing killer' in England's worst jail

Prison nurse, 27, suspended over 'fling with drug-dealing killer' in England's worst jail

This image provided by NASA shows Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

Stranded NASA astronauts reveal they were almost trapped in space 'forever' after horror malfunction

Donald Trump demands France 'free Marine Le Pen'

Donald Trump demands France 'free Marine Le Pen' after far-right leader found guilty of embezzlement in 'witch hunt'

At a hearing on Friday, Mr Justice Jay was asked to decide the "natural and ordinary" meaning of the statements ahead of a potential trial.

Chris Eubank Jr brands boxing promoter Frank Warren a 'scumbag' - as judge urges pair to 'mediate' ahead of trial

Tunnocks Tea Cakes cleared for RAF use.

Tunnock's Tea Cakes pass RAF test after being banned for 60 years

Joanne Sharkey pictured outside court

Woman who suffocated her newborn baby and left his body in woods in 1998 avoids prison

China will impose a 34% retaliatory tariff on imports from the US

China announces additional 34% tariffs on US imports in retaliation over Trump's 'Liberation Day' levies

'NHS dentistry is broken', says MP.

'NHS dentistry is broken': Plan to boost service has ‘resulted in worsening the picture’, say MPs

Dr Livia Tossici-Bolt at Poole Magistrates' Court

Anti-abortion campaigner guilty of breaching buffer zone outside UK clinic

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed.

Britain's cheapest supermarket revealed - see the full ranking

Whitney Ainscough has claimed to make almost £500,000 a year by showing people how to exploit the benefits system.

Fury as benefits 'influencers' tell people how to 'game' the system - with one woman claiming to make £500k a year

Older people are less likely to be given antibiotics for common infections by their GP compared with younger adults, a new study suggests.

Elderly people less likely to be given antibiotics despite higher risk, study says

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

Westminster Council is offering staff an online ‘privilege walk’ quiz

'Britain’s wokest council' tells staff to take quiz to check their privilege

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike