A Brazilian woman is accused of sending poisoned Easter eggs to her ex-partner’s new girlfriend, resulting in the death of a seven-year-old boy.
Jordélia Pereira Barbosa, 35, allegedly purchased luxury chocolate eggs while disguised, before lacing them with poison in a plot "motivated by revenge and jealousy," according to officials.
Barbosa is accused of arranging a motorcycle courier to deliver the poisoned chocolates to her former partner’s new girlfriend, Mirian Lira, 32, along with a note reading: "With love, to Mirian Lira, Happy Easter."
Ms Lira shared the chocolates with her children before receiving an anonymous phone call asking if she had received the package, Mail Online reports.
Her son, Luis Fernando Rocha Silva, became violently ill almost immediately, and despite being rushed to Imperatriz City Hospital, he died within hours, early on Thursday morning.
Ms Lira herself remains seriously ill in hospital alongside her daughter, Evelyn Fernanda, 13. Both are said to be in critical condition and intubated in intensive care.
Tests are underway on the leftover chocolate, as well as blood samples from Ms Lira and her daughter. An autopsy on Luis Fernando is expected to confirm poisoning as his cause of death.
Barbosa, who lives around 200 miles away in Santa Inês, was reportedly staying in a hotel in Imperatriz at the time of the incident. She was later arrested by police on an intercity bus heading back to Santa Inês.
Her former partner informed investigators he suspected Barbosa might be involved. Officers have since discovered receipts for the chocolate eggs, two wigs, scissors, cards, a saw knife, and suspected drugs in her possession.
Police released CCTV footage showing Barbosa shopping for Easter eggs while wearing sunglasses and a black wig to disguise her dyed blonde hair. The footage shows her at the counter, holding the chocolates while searching for a payment card.
While in custody at Santa Inês Regional Police Station, Barbosa has reportedly admitted to buying the chocolate eggs, but she denies poisoning them.
However, authorities say evidence against her is overwhelming.
Maurício Martins, a regional security official, told news outlet G1: "The evidence suggests, based on several points investigated, that the crime was motivated by revenge and jealousy, given that the author's ex-husband is the current partner or boyfriend of the victim, who was poisoned along with her two children.
"There are several indications that clearly point to this woman being the perpetrator of the crime.
"The police will continue working to strengthen this evidence and present her to the Judiciary to answer for this barbaric crime."
