A Brazilian woman is accused of sending poisoned Easter eggs to her ex-partner’s new girlfriend, causing the death of a seven-year-old boy.
Jordélia Pereira Barbosa, 35, allegedly purchased luxury chocolate eggs while disguised before poisoning them in a plot “motivated by revenge and jealousy,” according to authorities.
Barbosa is accused of arranging for a motorcycle courier to deliver the poisoned chocolates to her ex-partner’s new girlfriend, Mirian Lira, 32, along with a note that read: “With love, to Mirian Lira, Happy Easter.”
Mail Online reports that Ms Lira shared the chocolates with her children before receiving an anonymous phone call asking if she had received the package.
Her son, Luis Fernando Rocha Silva, became violently ill almost immediately and died within hours of being rushed to Imperatriz City Hospital on Thursday morning.
Ms Lira remains seriously ill in the hospital, as does her 13-year-old daughter, Evelyn Fernanda. Both are reported to be in critical condition and intubated in intensive care.
Tests are being conducted on the leftover chocolate, as well as blood samples from Ms Lira and her daughter. Luis Fernando’s autopsy is expected to confirm poisoning as the cause of death.
Barbosa, who lives about 200 miles away in Santa Inês, was reportedly staying in a hotel in Imperatriz when the incident occurred. She was later arrested by police on an intercity bus returning to Santa Inês.
Her former partner told investigators he thought Barbosa might be involved. Officers found receipts for the chocolate eggs, two wigs, scissors, cards, a saw knife, and suspected drugs in her possession.
Police released CCTV footage of Barbosa shopping for Easter eggs while wearing sunglasses and a black wig to hide her dyed blonde hair. The video shows her at the counter, holding the chocolates and looking for a payment card.
Barbosa reportedly admitted to buying the chocolate eggs while in custody at the Santa Inês Regional Police Station, but she denies poisoning them.
However, authorities claim the evidence against her is overwhelming.
According to Maurício Martins, a regional security official, the crime may have been motivated by revenge and jealousy, as the author’s ex-husband is the victim’s current partner or boyfriend. The victim and her two children were poisoned.
“There are several indications that this woman committed the crime.
“The police will continue working to strengthen this evidence and present her to the Judiciary to answer for this barbaric crime.”