Deise Moura dos Anjos, who was imprisoned on suspicion of poisoning three people during a family gathering, was found dead on the morning of February 13, 2024, at the Penitenciária Estadual Feminina de Guaíba, located near Porto Alegre, Brazil. Authorities believe she may have taken her own life. The incident occurred within the backdrop of serious criminal accusations, which had already cast her family and community under the shadow of tragedy.
Deise was considered the prime suspect in the December 23, 2023, poisoning of six individuals, three of whom later succumbed to their illnesses. This shocking case originated during what was meant to be a festive Christmas gathering when family members were served a cake allegedly laced with arsenic—an incident which left those affected facing dire medical consequences.
According to reports, Deise Moura dos Anjos had been incarcerated since January 5, 2024, under charges of triplo homicídio (triple homicide) and attempts on the lives of additional victims. The family members who died were part of her extended family, including two sisters-in-law and a mother-in-law, raising questions about deep-seated familial disputes and possible motives.
At the time of her death, Deise was reportedly alone in her cell when prison staff conducted their routine morning checks. During the check, she was discovered unresponsive. An officer attempted resuscitation before emergency medical services arrived and confirmed her death at the scene.
Delegada Karoline Calegari, who is leading the investigation, indicated preliminary findings suggested suicide. She stated, "Os indícios apontam que Deise cometeu suicídio," which translates to "The indications point to Deise committing suicide." The reports suggest she likely used her own clothing to carry out the act, though formal conclusions will depend on the results of the investigative inquiries.
The police also confirmed Deise had been alone at the time of the incident. "A Polícia Penal informa que, durante a conferência matinal na Penitenciária, Deise Moura dos Anjos foi encontrada sem sinais vitais," they stated, highlighting the immediate response by the prison staff.
Deise's alleged crimes traced back to the Christmas incident, which had devastated the family and led to widespread media coverage. The three fatalities from the poisoning were identified as Maida Berenice Flores da Silva, Tatiana Denize Silva dos Santos, and Neuza Denize da Silva. Shortly after eating the contaminated cake, they began showing symptoms of severe poisoning, leading to their untimely deaths within days. Interestingly, all were closely related, and authorities later confirmed traces of arsenic were found at the scene as well as during examinations of food items consumed during the gathering.
The investigation unveiled more tragic circumstances, as Deise was also implicated in the poisoning of her own father-in-law, Paulo Luiz dos Anjos, who had died months earlier, allegedly from similar symptoms after consuming food prepared by Deise. Reports indicate his body was exhumed, and tests revealed the presence of arsenic, seemingly reinforcing suspicions about Deise's involvement.
She had apparently been at odds with her mother-in-law, Zeli dos Anjos, which some speculate may have contributed to her alleged actions. Historical tensions had reached boiling points, and there are claims of threats and hostility leading up to these accusations. The narrative surrounding Deise's case combines familial conflict with the depths of human tragedy.
With her death now casting another pall over this heart-wrenching case, family members of the victims are left to grapple with countless emotions ranging from grief to frustration and outrage. Many are questioning how someone capable of such heinous acts could meet such a tragic end, pondering the ramifications on both sides of this dreadful saga.
While the immediate circumstances of Deise’s death remain under investigation, the impact of the poisoning incidents has already left scars on the involved families. More than the legal ramifications, this tragedy exposes the vulnerabilities of family ties and the devastating consequences of conflict, potentially spilling over from the emotional to the fatal.
Investigators are expected to continue probing various elements surrounding Deise’s death, the complex relationships within the family, and the broader questions stemming from the poisoning cases. For now, the unsettling mixture of loss, alleged crime, and now, suicide, will linger heavily over those who have endured these tragedies.