Deise Moura dos Anjos, the woman accused of poisoning her family with arsenic-laced cake, was found dead in her prison cell at the Penitenciária Estadual Feminina de Guaíba on February 13, 2025. The Policía Penal reported she showed no signs of life during morning checks, which led to immediate attempts by staff to administer first aid. Emergency medical services confirmed her death on arrival, with initial indications pointing toward suicide by asphyxiation.
This tragic event casts another shadow over the already horrifying circumstances surrounding Deise's arrest on January 5, 2025. Just weeks before her death, she was suspected of being involved in the poisoning incident during the Christmas celebrations of December 23, 2024, where three members of her extended family succumbed to their illnesses shortly after consuming the deadly cake.
During this ominous family gathering, seven relatives gathered for what was meant to be festive celebrations. What transpired was chilling. Three women—Tatiana Denize Silva dos Anjos, Maida Berenice Flores da Silva, and Neuza Denize Silva dos Anjos—were rushed to the hospital, where Neuza was later pronounced dead due to what was termed "shock following food poisoning." The other two relatives died later, causing shockwaves through the local community.
While Deise was the prime suspect, the investigations have also led to scrutiny over her father-in-law, Paulo Luiz dos Anjos, who died under suspicious circumstances just months before the cake incident. Initially reported as having succumbed to intestinal infection linked to food he had consumed—bananas and powdered milk delivered by Deise—his exhumed body showed traces of arsenic, intensifying the suspicion against her.
The murderous intent was strongly suggested as officials surmised Deise's target was her mother-in-law, Zeli dos Anjos, who had baked the toxic cake after Deise allegedly poisoned the flour used. Notably, Zeli and one young child were the only attendees who survived the horrifying ordeal, raising public and familial outrage against Deise.
This family tragedy rocked the small town of Torres and raised questions about mental health care within the penal system, as speculation about Deise's psychological state has emerged following her suspected suicide. Despite the serious allegations against her, there had been no conclusive evidence confirming her guilt or any support mechanisms for her during confinement.
Officials continue their investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding her tragic death, with the Polícia Civil and the Instituto-Geral de Perícias tasked with unraveling the events leading to both the poisonings and now her death.
The community's reaction has shifted from shock to outrage as family members of the deceased have consistently demanded justice, noting how the poisoning case unveiled not only their personal grief but also highlighted broader social issues, including inadequate support systems for individuals with mental health challenges.
Public and media attention surrounding the case has been persistent, with many citizens expressing disbelief at the series of tragedies stemming from what should have been joyous family gatherings. The sinister undercurrents of envy and betrayal are stark reminders of how family ties can take tragic turns when malice intervenes.
Deise’s apparent suicide raises many questions. Did she truly take her life out of remorse, fear, or despair concerning her actions? Or was it simply another step within the haunting narrative of her life since the poisonings? Families of the victims and community members hope for transparency from authorities as investigators dig deep to expose the entire truth, ensuring the memory of the victims does not fade away silently.