Two innocent children, aged 7 and 13, have died in Brazil after consuming chocolate Easter eggs allegedly poisoned by a woman seeking revenge on her ex-boyfriend’s new partner.
Top Takeaways
- Jordélia Pereira Barbosa, 35, is accused of poisoning Easter eggs that killed two children and hospitalized their mother in an alleged revenge plot against her ex’s new girlfriend.
- Evelyn Silva, 13, and her brother Luis Silva, 7, died after consuming the tainted chocolates that were delivered with a deceptive note reading “With love, to Mirian Lira. Happy Easter!!”
- The suspect was captured on surveillance buying the chocolates while wearing a disguise and was later arrested on a bus with incriminating evidence.
- This follows another recent poisoning case in Brazil where a woman tampered with a Christmas cake, resulting in three deaths.
A Family Celebration Turned Deadly
What should have been a joyful Easter celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy for the Lira-Silva family in Imperatriz, Brazil. Mirian Lira and her children, 13-year-old Evelyn Silva and 7-year-old Luis Silva, received a special delivery of chocolate Easter eggs that came with a handwritten note addressed to Mirian. The unsuspecting family shared the chocolates, unaware of the deadly contents that would soon claim the children’s lives.
Luis was the first to show symptoms, initially complaining of weakness – a warning his mother didn’t immediately recognize as serious until he began fainting. He became unresponsive after eating the egg and died after being rushed to the hospital. His sister Evelyn suffered a similar fate, succumbing to vascular shock linked to multiple organ failure. Their mother Mirian also consumed the chocolate and remains hospitalized, though reports indicate her condition has stabilized.
Woman accused of killing boy, 7, with poisoned Easter eggs https://t.co/oPTN8MoZsq pic.twitter.com/otNwEXAmqG
— The Independent (@Independent) April 19, 2025
Alleged Revenge Plot Uncovered
Police investigations led to the arrest of 35-year-old Jordélia Pereira Barbosa, the ex-girlfriend of Mirian’s current partner. The Easter eggs were delivered with a note saying “With love, to Mirian Lira. Happy Easter!!” – a calculated deception designed to ensure the target would consume the chocolates. Authorities believe the crime was meticulously planned as part of an elaborate scheme motivated by jealousy over her ex-boyfriend’s new relationship.
“The evidence suggests that the crime was motivated by revenge, by 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,” said Maranhão’s Department of Security Secretary, Maurício Martins.
This wasn’t allegedly the first attempt either – investigators revealed that Barbosa had previously tried to poison Lira by giving her tainted candies at a chocolate-tasting session, indicating a persistent intent to harm.
Mounting Evidence Against the Suspect
The investigation led to damning evidence against Barbosa. Surveillance cameras captured her buying the chocolates while wearing a disguise. Police apprehended the suspect on a bus heading to her hometown after finding receipts that linked her to the crime. When authorities searched her belongings, they discovered wigs, scissors, cards, a saw knife, and unknown substances – items suggesting premeditation and potentially the means to prepare the poisoned chocolates.
“We can say, with what we have gathered so far, that we have enough elements to point to the authorship of this person who was arrested,” stated Maranhão Civil Police chief Manoel Almeida.
Despite the mounting evidence, Barbosa has denied poisoning the chocolates. She has admitted to purchasing them but disputes any claims of tampering. Forensic analysis is currently being conducted on the chocolate to confirm its toxicity and identify the specific poison used, which authorities believe will strengthen their case against her.
Disturbing Pattern of Similar Crimes
This tragic incident bears a disturbing similarity to another recent case in Brazil. In December, a woman poisoned a Christmas cake, resulting in three deaths. These cases highlight a concerning pattern of food tampering motivated by personal vendettas. The case against Barbosa is being forwarded to the Criminal Court of Imperatriz for further proceedings, where she faces potential charges including double homicide.
