A Brazilian woman accused of poisoning three family members with an arsenic-laced Christmas cake has been found dead in her prison cell, in what authorities are treating as a suspected suicide.
Deise Moura dos Anjos, 42, was arrested in early January 2025 after being charged with triple homicide and three counts of attempted murder. The shocking case gained national attention after it was revealed that she had allegedly poisoned a traditional holiday dessert, killing three relatives and hospitalizing several others.
Her sudden death in custody has left many unanswered questions about her motives, potential past crimes, and the circumstances of her alleged suicide.
The Poisoned Christmas Cake: What Happened?
The tragic incident occurred on December 23, 2024, in Torres, Brazil, where Deise had prepared a traditional Brazilian Christmas cake, known as “Bolo de Natal,” for a family gathering.
Victims of the Poisoning
🚨 Maida da Silva, 58 – Deise’s mother-in-law’s sister
🚨 Neuza Dos Anjos, 50 – Maida’s sister
🚨 Tatiana Dos Santos, 43 – Neuza’s daughter
🔹 Three other family members also consumed the cake but survived after being rushed to the hospital with severe poisoning symptoms.
The Shocking Discovery
📌 Forensic tests confirmed the cake contained lethal levels of arsenic.
📌 Autopsies revealed arsenic poisoning in the three deceased victims.
📌 Investigators found Google searches on Deise’s devices about how to poison food using arsenic before the incident.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Deise maintained her innocence and claimed she had nothing to do with the deaths.
Suspicion of More Murders
Following Deise’s arrest, investigators began re-examining other unexplained deaths in the family, leading to a disturbing possible pattern of poisoning.
Other Potential Victims
📌 Paulo Luiz Dos Anjos, 64 – Deise’s father-in-law, who died in September 2024 from what was originally ruled a natural cause.
📌 Husband & Son – Reports suggest Deise’s own husband and son may have also suffered arsenic poisoning, but survived.
Authorities began questioning whether Deise had been poisoning her family over a long period, possibly due to financial motives, family disputes, or psychological factors.
A police spokesperson stated:
“We are now looking into other deaths and illnesses in her family to determine if there was a larger pattern of poisoning.”
Deise Found Dead in Jail Cell
On February 13, 2025, Deise Moura dos Anjos was discovered lifeless in her prison cell in Guaíba, just weeks after her arrest.
Details of Her Death
🚔 Found unresponsive by prison guards during morning rounds.
🚔 Initial reports suggest suicide, but authorities are investigating all possibilities.
🚔 No signs of foul play were immediately detected.
Authorities are now conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Theories Behind the Motive
While Deise never confessed to the crime, investigators have been considering several possible motives:
1. Financial Gain
✔ Some believe she may have been seeking inheritance money or financial control over family assets.
✔ Investigators found insurance policies and financial documents that could suggest premeditated intent.
2. Family Revenge or Personal Conflicts
✔ Some relatives described tensions between Deise and her extended family.
✔ However, no concrete evidence of major disputes has been found.
3. Psychological Factors
✔ Investigators suspect Deise may have had a psychological disorder or sociopathic tendencies.
✔ Her lack of emotion during questioning raised concerns about her mental state.
A criminal psychologist noted:
“Some killers poison their victims not just for money but for control. They enjoy having power over life and death.”
Public Reaction: Brazil Shocked by the Case
The poisoned Christmas cake case has horrified Brazil, with many comparing it to true crime stories of serial poisoners.
📢 Social Media Reactions:
💬 “How can someone poison their own family? Unbelievable.”
💬 “She knew exactly what she was doing. If she was innocent, why did she search for arsenic poisoning?”
💬 “The real question is: How many other people did she poison before this?”
Calls for Stricter Regulations on Poison Purchases
Brazilian lawmakers are now discussing tighter restrictions on toxic substances like arsenic, after learning that Deise was able to easily obtain the poison.
What Happens Next?
With Deise’s sudden death in custody, many questions remain unanswered:
🔹 Was she guilty or did she die maintaining her innocence?
🔹 Were there more victims that police have yet to uncover?
🔹 Did she act alone, or was there an accomplice?
Investigators will continue examining past family deaths, while authorities look into her death in jail to rule out foul play.
Conclusion
The case of Deise Moura dos Anjos is one of Brazil’s most disturbing family murder cases, leaving a trail of death, unanswered questions, and suspicion.
Her sudden death in prison means that many of the details about her alleged crimes may never be fully known.
But one thing is clear: the horror of the poisoned Christmas cake will haunt her surviving relatives forever.
FAQs
1. Who was Deise Moura dos Anjos?
She was a 42-year-old Brazilian woman accused of poisoning three relatives with an arsenic-laced Christmas cake.
2. How did she kill her family members?
Authorities say she baked arsenic into a Christmas cake served at a holiday gathering in December 2024.
3. Why did she do it?
The motive remains unclear, but investigators believe financial gain, family disputes, or psychological issues may have played a role.
4. How did she die?
Deise was found dead in her jail cell, with authorities suspecting suicide, though investigations are ongoing.
5. Are there other victims?
Possibly. Investigators are re-examining the death of her father-in-law and suspicious illnesses of her husband and son.
