A festive family tragedy has turned into a chilling murder investigation after a deadly poison was discovered in a Christmas meal that killed a mum and her teenage daughter.
Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and 15-year-old Sara Di Vita both fell violently ill after sitting down for lunch on 23 December.
Within days, both had tragically died – with doctors initially believing the cause was food poisoning.
But shocking lab results have now revealed the presence of ricin, one of the world’s most lethal toxins, as reported by Need To Know.
Prosecutors have since launched a full investigation into suspected premeditated double murder.
Sara was rushed to intensive care in Campobasso, Italy, where she died on the night of 27 December.
Her mother Antonella passed away the following morning (28 December).
Antonella’s husband, Gianni Di Vita, 55, also became unwell, suffering nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
The former mayor of Pietracatella said after leaving hospital: “I’m feeling better, but I still can’t understand what happened.”
Investigators have seized a range of food items from the family home, including clams, mussels, cuttlefish, cod, flour and jars of mushrooms preserved in oil.
The family had eaten alone on 23 December – before hosting guests for a separate meal the following evening.
Crucially, none of the guests at the Christmas Eve dinner fell ill, leading investigators to focus on the earlier lunch.
The couple’s eldest daughter Alice, 19, was not present at the meal on the 23rd and did not develop symptoms.
Tests carried out in laboratories in Italy and Switzerland confirmed the presence of ricin.
The discovery has transformed the case into a suspected double homicide.
So far, no suspects or motive have been identified.
Investigators are now working to determine how the poison was introduced and who may be responsible.
The family home remains under police seizure as the probe continues.
Gianni and his surviving daughter are now living in another property while the investigation unfolds.
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