A mother and daughter killed by suspected ricin poisoning had 140 times the minimum lethal dose of the poison in their bodies, according to sources close to the investigation.
Antonella Di Ielsi and her 15-year-old daughter, Sara Di Vita, died after being poisoned with ricin.
On 27 December 2025, Antonella, 50, rushed Sara to hospital after her condition suddenly worsened.
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Doctors told Antonella that Sara had died, before Antonella herself died the following day (28 December).
Investigators initially considered the possibility that the pair had accidentally ingested ricin.
But that theory is now losing ground.
Sources close to the investigation in Pietracatella, Italy, say autopsies found a quantity of the poison in biological samples equivalent to 140 times the minimum lethal dose.
The finding, together with testimony gathered by investigators, has strengthened the murder theory, as reported by Need To Know.
Salvatore Di Ielsi, Antonella’s father and Sara’s grandfather, said Antonella had suffered marital problems with her husband, Gianni Di Vita, for years.
The 76-year-old told local media: “It’s not possible that he did everything on his own, knowing what was going on around him, but he was involve
“I asked him directly. He denied it and said: ‘I had nothing to do with it.’
“I believe him, of course. I’m not accusing anyone, but the situation is what it is, and I’m not ruling anything out either.”
The suspected poisoning is believed to have happened after a family dinner on 23 December 2025.
Antonella, Sara and Gianni reportedly ate mussels, homemade giardiniera and cured meats.
All three later became ill, but Gianni survived.
Investigators have also considered 24 December as a possible exposure date, so the exact meal has not been definitively established.
Prosecutor Elvira Antonelli has called accidental poisoning “the least likely” scenario as the investigation increasingly focuses on murder.
The Larino prosecutor is still investigating against unknown persons.
Earlier reports said four or five people, including two receiving particular attention, were being looked at, but authorities have not publicly named them as suspects.
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