Three die after eating ‘poison’ Christmas cake as police re-open husband death case

Three others fell ill after consuming the festive treat at a family gathering.

The incident occurred on December 23 in Brazil, when seven members of the same family sat down to tuck into a Bolo de Natal - a traditional Brazilian Christmas cake - prepared by sisters Maida Berenice Flores da Silva and Zeli Terezinha Silva dos Anjos.

Hours later, Maida and Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos tragically passed away. Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjo was rushed to hospital in critical condition and tragically succumbed to her illness the following day.

Three others, including a 10-year-old boy, were rushed to hospital and are still receiving treatment.

According to The Mirror, only one person refrained from eating the cake.

The Civil Police are now awaiting test results to determine what could have caused the deaths of the three women.

Zeli, who helped to prepare the cake, has since provided authorities with information about when and where the ingredients for the cake were purchased.

Police have launched a full investigation into the matter, leading to the exhumation of Zeli's late husband's body.

His death in September from food poisoning is now being treated as suspicious.

One of the family member's cause of death has been revealed as "shock after food poisoning".

The police probe includes an examination of the family's food and other household items, many of which were found to be expired.

A police statement, as reported by globo.com, said: "We even have information that there was mayonnaise there that had expired a year ago.

"Expired products were found in the residence. A bottle was discovered, a medicine, which should have contained capsules inside it but instead held a white liquid - this white liquid will also be examined."