A shocking case out of Colombia has left two teenage girls dead after allegedly being poisoned with chocolate-covered raspberries.
Zulma Guzman Castro, a businesswoman, is accused of lacing the fruit with a toxic substance in what prosecutors claim was an act of revenge linked to an affair with the father of one of the girls.
The victims, 14-year-old Ines de Bedout and 13-year-old Emilia Forero, were taken to the hospital after eating the sweet treat but tragically died four days later. The deadly dessert had reportedly been delivered to the girls through a courier service on April 3.
Authorities say the raspberries were contaminated with thallium, a heavy metal used in electronics, lenses, alloys, and radiation detection equipment. Thallium is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it extremely dangerous when ingested.
The girls had been hanging out at an upscale apartment in Bogota with a friend and one of their older brothers when they ate the poisoned raspberries. Another teenager and a 21-year-old relative who consumed the dessert were hospitalized but survived, though the girl reportedly suffered lasting health problems.
Colombian prosecutors believe Guzman, who founded an electric car rental company called Car B, may have targeted the teens as a way to get revenge on her former lover, Juan de Bedout. Authorities called on Interpol to issue a Red Notice to locate and arrest Guzman, whose current whereabouts are unknown.
Guzman has denied any involvement in the deaths. In a statement released to local media, she said she had not fled Colombia and explained her travels to Argentina, Spain, Brazil, and the UK, citing work and family reasons. She also said prosecutors never formally notified her of any investigation and expressed hope that those who know her would support her.
What a sick woman