A woman is suspected of poisoning both her daughter and her daughter-in-law after the pair died just one month apart.
Elizabete Arrabaça, 67, has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the death of Larissa Talle Leôncio Rodrigues, 37, and 42-year-old Nathália Garnica.
Both Larissa and Nathália died after ingesting poison earlier this year, according to reports.
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A toxicological report carried out on their remains was delivered to police on Wednesday (18 June), as reported by Need To Know.
Elizabete’s daughter Nathália died after she suffered a heart attack in February. She had no pre-existing health problems.
But the Forensic Medical Institute (IML) later discovered the presence of chumbinho in her body.
Chumbinho is a deadly pesticide which has been illegally commercialised as a household rat poison in Brazil.
Elizabete’s daughter-in-law Larissa, a Pilates instructor who was married to her son, Luiz Antônio Garnica, was found dead in her apartment on 22 March.
An examination ruled out signs of violence but discovered that she had lung and heart injuries.
A toxicology test also showed there were traces of rat poison in her body.
Larissa had just learned of her husband’s affair when she died, according to police.
She made the bombshell discovery after finding sex toys in her husband-of-18-years’ car, according to a statement provided by her cousin to the police.
The 37-year-old Pilates instructor was reportedly planning to divorce her husband, 38, after uncovering his dark secret.
But she died before she had the chance, after allegedly being slipped poison by her mother-in-law.
Police said that there were similarities in the deaths of the two women, but their investigations will be separate.
Elizabete was arrested on 4 June in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
Her lawyer, Bruno Correa, is trying to prove that she needs medical care.
An examination carried out at the prison where she is being held did not indicate any serious diseases.
But she has stated to police that she suffers from labyrinthitis, Parkinson’s disease and osteoporosis.
Bodybuilder Luiz is also suspected of being involved in the death of his wife Larissa. He was arrested earlier this year in connection with her death but later released without charge.
Police said officers will analyse messages from mobile phones and computers that may provide additional details on what happened.
Testimonies are also expected from Antônio Garnica – Luiz’s father and Elizabete’s ex-husband.
A police spokesman said: “Initially, the suspect is the mother herself, but the investigation runs in the direction of knowing if there is the involvement of other people.”
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