Baker of poisoned christmas cake accused of being ‘serial killer’ as cops link her to more deaths
A brazilian woman, already accused of murdering three family members by feeding them a
poisoned Christmas cake, is now suspected of being involved in at least 10 other poisonings, including her own father’s death in 2020.
Deise Moura, 39, who initially appeared to be a grieving daughter-in-law, is now facing multiple charges, including the murders of her mother-in-law’s two sisters and her niece. Brazilian police have revealed new evidence linking her to a series of poisonings that span over several years, including the deaths of family members and the attempted murder of her husband.
The fatal Christmas cake incident occurred on December 23, when Moura reportedly poisoned a cake she served to relatives during a family gathering at her mother-in-law Zeli’s home. The cake claimed the lives of Zeli’s sisters, Maida, 58, and Neuza, 65, as well as Neuza’s daughter, 43-year-old Tatiana. In addition, three other family members who consumed the cake were hospitalised after experiencing severe symptoms of poisoning.
An investigation into Moura’s activities revealed unsettling details about her premeditated actions. Police disclosed that an initial analysis of her phone showed troubling internet searches for terms like “arsenic” and other poison-related substances on Google Shopping, suggesting that the poisonings may have been carefully planned.
Just days before the Christmas party, Moura allegedly poisoned her husband, Diego dos Anjos, by serving him arsenic-laced juice. According to reports from Brazilian news outlet Band, Moura realised that her son had also consumed the toxic drink and forced him to vomit it out. Diego, however, was left seriously ill and is currently undergoing forensic examination, alongside their son.
But it doesn’t stop there. Investigators are now delving into at least 10 separate poisoning incidents linked to Moura. Among these is the death of her father-in-law, Paulo Luiz dos Anjos, who passed away suddenly in 2020. His death was initially attributed to food poisoning, but recent investigations have raised suspicions that it may have been a case of arsenic poisoning. The post-mortem revealed traces of arsenic in his system, leading police to reclassify his death as potentially murder.
With four deaths now directly attributed to Moura, including those of Neuza, Maida, and Tatiana, police are calling her a “serial killer.” Authorities have also charged her with three attempted murders: her mother-in-law Zeli, and two other relatives—Tatiana’s son and Maida’s husband—who consumed the poisoned cake but survived. Investigators are now considering the possibility that Zeli was also targeted with arsenic-laced food while hospitalised, raising further suspicions about Moura’s role in these events.
The lethal ingredient in the Christmas cake was confirmed to be arsenic, which was mixed into the flour at “extremely high concentrations,” far beyond natural levels. Police have emphasised that such a high concentration of arsenic could not have occurred accidentally, indicating that it was deliberately added.
Moura’s longstanding feud with her mother-in-law, Zeli, has now emerged as a possible motive for the killings. According to police chief Marcus Vinicius Veloso, the two women had a history of conflict spanning over 20 years. Although outwardly, the family appeared close-knit, investigations into the tensions between Moura and her in-laws have revealed deep-rooted animosities that may have prompted the deadly act.
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“We knew there had been minor disagreements between the suspect and elements of the family for several years,” said Veloso. “On the surface, it appeared that all those at the party were close and harmonious, but as we extended our investigations, we found motives that were likely behind this poisoning.”
As the investigation unfolds, police are continuing to examine Moura’s connections to other potential poisonings, including her possible involvement in more deaths dating back several years. They are also looking into whether the arsenic used in the poisonings was purchased online, raising further questions about Moura’s preparedness and long-term intentions.
With Moura now facing multiple charges of murder and attempted murder, authorities are warning the public about the dangers of poisoning and the extent to which a seemingly innocent act—such as serving food at a family gathering—can be turned into a weapon of terror.
