The husband of a woman being investigated after a Christmas cake she baked killed three of her family, died after eating a banana, relatives have told .
Paulo Luiz Dos Anjos, 66, passed away in September with his death being put down to food poisoning.
Police in Brazil are applying to a judge to exhume his body as part of their investigation into the three deaths.
His wife Zeli, 61, is still in hospital along with her 10-year-old great nephew Matheus after they tucked into the traditional festive treat on December 23 at a family party in the southern Brazilian city of Torres.
Within hours Zeli’s sisters Maida Bernice Flores da Silva, 58, and Neuza Denize Silva Dos Anjos, 65 and Neuza’s daughter Tatiana Silvia Dos Santos, 43, were all dead and authorities later revealed traces of deadly arsenic were found in their bodies.
Maida’s husband Joao was also at the party but did not eat any cake, while Neuza’s husband Jefferson had a few bites and was then violently sick.
Now a cousin of Joao, Marcos Bastia Dos Anjos, 72, has told that Paulo died four months ago after eating a banana.
He revealed Zeli was also hospitalised at the same time after eating one from the same bunch.
Marcos said that Joao and Zeli lived in Canoas, near Porte Alegre before the area was devastated by floods in May, which left almost 200 people dead when rivers burst their banks after days of heavy rain.
As a result Paulo and Zeli moved from their home to another house they owned at Arroio do Sal, around 20 miles south of Torres.
Marcos said: ‘They moved all of their belongings into the other house including a banana tree they took with them as well and planted it in the garden.
‘They were happy there while the place in Canoas was made safe and then in early September Paulo and Zeli were both taken to hospital after eating bananas.
‘I was told it was bananas from the tree in the garden. Then we heard that Paulo had died, but Zeli got better and was discharged from hospital.
‘They said he died because the banana had given him food poisoning. I know it seems strange, especially now with what has happened over the cake.
‘I’m sure Zeli wouldn’t do anything on purpose, we are all very close and Matheus is her nephew and he’s only ten.
‘I can only think that somehow when the place was flooded the banana tree was also contaminated and maybe so were some of the pots and pans, Zeli used for the cake.’
News reports from the time of the flood reveal how specialist army units were brought in to remove hundreds of large barrels containing chemicals that swept through Canoas.
Pictures show them in bright yellow decontamination suits removing barrels that were found floating in the water and had been carried away from nearby petrochemical plants and factories.
Last week police said ‘arsenic’ was found in the blood of the three women who died although this has not been officially confirmed with authorities at the Brazilian Forensic Crime lab saying ‘tests are still ongoing’.
Arsenic is a chemical compound used primarily in heavy industry for making car batteries but also pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.
Another relative who asked not to be named, told : ‘When the floods came through the factories and chemical plants were badly hit and containers were washing up along the streets.
‘We were told there was no danger and everything was being properly handled by the army, but now after the cake and Paolo’s death in September from the banana we are beginning to think there is some connection.
‘The stocks of raw materials were all lost and ended up in the water and this could easily have contaminated the soil and any pots and pans it touched especially if these chemical plants used arsenic.
‘We just don’t think Zeli would have done this deliberately, and for what reason would she? It’s just a tragic accident.’
The floods six months ago also affected the airport at Porto Alegre with the runway under several feet of water and more than 540,000 people had to be evacuated.
One of the most iconic images of the devastation was that of a horse called Caramelo (Caramel) who was stranded on a roof at Canoas for four days before being rescued by boat.
Caramelo is now doing well and has been adopted by the veterinary department of a local university.