Poisoned cake: nicknamed "cobra," mother-in-law recounts that daughter-in-law suspected of the crime harbored a true obsession with her.
According to police investigations, Zeli was Deise's main target.
247 - In one of the most shocking cases recently recorded in Rio Grande do Sul, Zeli dos Anjos, mother-in-law of Deise Moura dos Anjos, accused of poisoning the flour in a king cake that resulted in the death of three people, gave a statement to the Civil Police and revealed details about her conflictual relationship with her daughter-in-law. The statement was obtained by... CNN and brought to light a history of disagreements and mistrust between the two.
According to police investigations, Zeli was Deise's main target. Even after consuming the cake poisoned with arsenic, Zeli survived the attack. "I only found out now, through my sister-in-law Regina, that I was called that," declared Zeli, referring to the nickname "Naja" that Deise used to refer to her. According to Zeli, her daughter-in-law never called her by that nickname in person, but her mother-in-law knew that the term was used in conversations with other family members.
Zeli also stated that Deise showed jealousy and even copied her personal style: "She copied her way of dressing, of grooming herself, she bought the same shoes and accessories," she reported in her testimony.
Preparing the cake
According to Zeli, the King Cake was prepared on December 23rd at her sister Maida's house in Torres, where the family was gathered for Christmas celebrations. She described how she acquired the ingredients: she went to the market to buy brown sugar, margarine, condensed milk, eggs, and white raisins. The flour, however, was taken from a bag that was under the sink.
Zeli reported that she "found the flour strange" and decided to sift it, but attributed the different appearance to its low quality, since the product was a donation intended for flood victims in the state. She also stated that, during preparation, she "did not taste the cake batter, nor did she notice any different odor."
The icing, used to cover the cake, was made with sugar that was already in the house. The cake, prepared without baking powder, was consumed on Christmas Eve, resulting in a tragedy.
The victims
The poisoning caused the deaths of Maida, Zeli's sister, and Neuza, another sister, in the early hours of December 24th. Tatiana, a niece, died on the 25th after being hospitalized. Zeli and her great-nephew Matheus were also hospitalized but were later discharged.
The case brought to light previous suspicions involving Deise. Paulo, Zeli's husband, died in similar circumstances after consuming powdered milk that, according to the police, was also poisoned.
The investigation
The Civil Police are continuing to investigate the case, which revealed an alleged history of premeditated violence within the family. Deise, her husband Diego (Zeli's son), and their son reside in Nova Santa Rita, while Zeli divides her time between Canoas and Arroio do Sal.
