Brazilian Woman Charged with Murder After Arsenic-Laced Cake Kills Three

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In a shocking incident in Brazil, Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, a 61-year-old woman from Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, has been linked to the deaths of three women after serving an arsenic-laced cake at a family gathering. The victims, aged 43, 58, and 65, succumbed to arsenic poisoning following the gathering, prompting an investigation by local authorities.

Police reports indicate that all three victims tested positive for arsenic after an autopsy was conducted. Both dos Anjos and a 10-year-old girl, who also consumed the cake, are currently hospitalized and undergoing treatment. Disturbingly, dos Anjos's husband had died from suspected arsenic poisoning earlier in September, leading investigators to consider a potential connection between these cases.

During a search of dos Anjos's residence, authorities discovered expired products, including a bottle of white liquid medication, which is now being analyzed for evidence. Family members reported that the cake had an unusual “peppery” taste, further raising suspicions about its contents. Police chief Marcos Vinicius Veloso stated that preliminary tests found the highest arsenic levels in dos Anjos, who reportedly consumed two slices of the tainted cake.

The investigation into this tragic event underscores the dangers of arsenic, a known toxic element that can be lethal in its inorganic form. The World Health Organization warns that exposure to elevated levels of arsenic can occur through contaminated water, food, and other sources.

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