A female entrepreneur is facing allegations of causing the deaths of two schoolgirls by offering them poisoned chocolate-covered raspberries in an apparent act of revenge.
Zulma Guzman Castro is accused of fatally poisoning Ines de Bedout, 14, and her 13-year-old friend Emilia Forero after a romantic relationship with Ines’ father ended unsuccessfully. The girls passed away in a hospital in Bogota after consuming a dessert containing thallium, a toxic heavy metal that was famously tied to the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. Analysis by forensic specialists has revealed that the raspberries were intentionally contaminated with thallium before being delivered to a luxury apartment in Colombia.
The tragic incident occurred on April 3 when the girls, who had been playing at the apartment after school, ingested the poisoned dessert and succumbed to its effects within a week.
Following examinations that indicated foul play, Colombian authorities sought the arrest of Guzman through Interpol. Allegedly, Guzman fled to Argentina, prompting an Interpol Red Notice to be issued for her apprehension.
Local sources have hinted at a possible crime of passion in the double homicide case, suggesting that Guzman, the founder of a car-sharing company named Car-B, had a clandestine relationship with Juan de Bedout, Ines’ father.
Reports also indicate that investigators are revisiting the death of Juan’s wife, who passed away two years prior to the girls’ deaths under suspicious circumstances that could be linked to thallium poisoning, as per El Colombiano newspaper.
Despite proclaiming her innocence, Guzman has reportedly traveled to Brazil, Spain, and the UK since departing Colombia earlier this year.
In a recent statement, Guzman expressed her dismay at being accused of sending the poisoned gift that led to the girls’ deaths. She denied fleeing to Argentina and explained her recent travels to pursue educational opportunities and visit family, refuting claims of a romantic involvement with one of the victims’ fathers.
Another friend and the brother of one of the deceased girls, aged 21, were also hospitalized after consuming the tainted raspberries but managed to survive. However, the surviving girl reportedly suffered lasting injuries from the poisoning.
Prosecutors allege that Guzman, who left Colombia on April 13, arranged for a courier service to deliver the lethal dessert. The courier stated that he received the raspberries from a friend of Guzman’s, who presented it as a gift due to the girls’ fondness for the treat.
Described as a longtime acquaintance of Ines’ family, Guzman was familiar with the girls’ routines and knew about Ines’ love for chocolate-covered raspberries.
The deadly package was delivered to the girls in the evening of April 3, shortly after 7 pm, after an initial attempt to hand it over earlier was declined by the girls who claimed they were not expecting any deliveries.</