When Cake Kills: 3 Dead, 1 Arrested in Arsenic Bake-Off

A Christmas cake meant to bring family together instead shattered lives in Torres, Brazil, when three women died after eating the arsenic-laced dessert. Police have arrested a family member, identified only as "Deise," on charges of triple homicide and triple attempted homicide, alleging she poisoned the cake with deadly intent. The tragedy, which unfolded during a holiday gathering on Dec. 23, 2024, left Maida Berenice Flores da Silva, 58, Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos, 43, and Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjos, 65, dead.

From Holiday Joy to Heartbreak

The homemade cake, baked by 61-year-old Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos, turned lethal during what should have been a festive family celebration. Six relatives fell ill after eating the dessert, including Zeli herself and a 10-year-old boy. While the boy recovered, Zeli was hospitalized in the ICU. But for Maida, Tatiana, and Neuza, there was no escape.

Jefferson Luiz Moraes, Maida's husband, mourned her loss in a heartbreaking interview with O Globo. "My better half is gone," he said, according to PEOPLE. "I have to rebuild everything again. Sleeping is difficult ... at night, there's a hole (in my heart) that remains."

Arsenic, Googled

Suspicion of foul play surfaced when Moraes' sister recalled a chilling detail: Zeli's husband, Paulo Luiz dos Anjos, died in September 2024 from what was initially ruled food poisoning. That death, once dismissed as natural, is now part of the investigation.

Police tested the leftover cake, the flour used to bake it, and the victims' blood. They found high levels of arsenic, a tasteless and odorless toxin. One victim's arsenic levels were 350 times higher than the lethal dose, according to forensic experts cited by CBS News.

Investigators traced the poison back to Zeli's daughter-in-law, Deise. Police discovered that she allegedly had searched for information about arsenic online before the incident, further tying her to what appears to be a calculated act of violence.

A Toxic Plot Unveiled

Family members reported that the cake had a spicy, unpleasant taste. Zeli even told them to stop eating it, but the damage had already been done. Authorities believe Deise tampered with the flour to lace the cake with poison. Her alleged actions have not only devastated her immediate family, but also prompted police to reopen the investigation into Zeli's husband's death. His body will be exhumed to determine whether arsenic was also involved.

Bitter Motives

Although the family appeared harmonious on the surface, police have hinted at underlying tensions that may have fueled the crime. The motive remains unclear, but the tragedy underscores how hidden conflicts can escalate into unimaginable violence.

Arsenic: A Silent Killer

Arsenic's deadly potential makes it a sinister choice for poisoners. Forensic expert Marguet Mittman explained to CBS News that just 35 micrograms could kill a person. Inorganic arsenic, the type found in the cake, is particularly dangerous because it's undetectable in taste or smell. This case highlights the ease with which such a toxin can infiltrate even the most cherished family traditions.

References: Husband of Woman Killed by Christmas Cake Allegedly Spiked with Arsenic Says His 'Better Half Is Gone' | Woman arrested after arsenic-laced Christmas cake kills 3 family members in Brazil