Tragic Deaths Linked to ‘Poisoned Easter Eggs’ Sent as an Alleged Act of Revenge
A devastating case of alleged poisoning has left a 13-year-old girl dead, following the tragic loss of her younger brother just days earlier. Both children are believed to have consumed poisoned Easter eggs that were allegedly sent to their family as part of a calculated act of revenge. This heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Brazil, where a woman named Jordélia Pereira Barbosa is accused of orchestrating the deaths of the two young children and targeting their mother, Mirian Lira, through a twisted act of vengeance.
The Alleged Poisoning
According to authorities, the tragic chain of events began when Mirian Lira received a package containing chocolate Easter eggs from Jordélia Pereira Barbosa. The eggs were accompanied by a note that read: “With love, to Mirian Lira. Happy Easter.” The message seemed innocuous, but it would soon turn out to be part of a deadly plan. Mirian shared the chocolates with her two children, her seven-year-old son Luis and 13-year-old daughter Evelyn Silva, not realizing the horrifying consequences that lay within the seemingly innocent gift.
Shortly after consuming the chocolates, Luis, the younger of the two children, began showing severe signs of illness. Despite immediate attempts by his father, Rafael, to perform CPR, the young boy tragically went into cardiac arrest and passed away on Thursday, April 17. Luis’s death marked the first devastating blow in this tragic series of events.
Both Mirian and her daughter Evelyn were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where they were treated for poisoning. Sadly, Evelyn succumbed to the effects of the poison just days later. Health authorities confirmed that her death was caused by vascular shock, leading to multiple organ failure, which ultimately could not be reversed despite the best efforts of medical staff.
A report from the hospital stated, “Unfortunately, the clinical condition showed serious and rapid deterioration without responding to treatment.” This sudden and irreversible decline in Evelyn’s health left both the medical team and her family heartbroken, as they had hoped for a recovery.
Mirian Lira remains hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition after undergoing treatment. The deaths of her two children, however, have left her grappling with an unimaginable loss. The community and authorities are left to ponder how a seemingly simple act of kindness, in the form of Easter chocolate, could turn into a plot of such unimaginable cruelty.
The Arrest of Jordélia Pereira Barbosa
On April 21, 2025, Jordélia Pereira Barbosa was arrested in connection with the deaths of the two children. Barbosa, who is allegedly the ex-girlfriend of Mirian Lira’s current partner, is suspected of poisoning the chocolates that were sent to Lira’s family. The act is believed to have been motivated by a deep-seated resentment and jealousy, stemming from the fact that Barbosa’s ex-husband is now in a relationship with Lira.
Barbosa was apprehended while traveling on a bus in Santa Inês, a city in Maranhão, where police discovered a shopping receipt indicating she had purchased the poisoned Easter eggs. This evidence, coupled with other items found in her possession, including two wigs, scissors, cards, a saw knife, and several unknown substances, led authorities to believe that Barbosa had been preparing for this act of retaliation for some time. CCTV footage reportedly captured Barbosa buying the chocolate while wearing a black wig, adding to the mounting evidence against her.
When questioned by the police, Barbosa allegedly confessed to purchasing the eggs prior to Easter but denied any involvement in poisoning them. Her defense, however, has been met with skepticism by investigators, who believe she intentionally tainted the chocolates in order to harm Lira and her family.
Alleged Prior Attempts and Motivations
The arrest of Barbosa and the discovery of her alleged actions have shocked the community, but authorities suggest that this was not her first attempt at using food to harm others. According to reports from Imperatriz, Barbosa had allegedly visited Lira’s workplace earlier in the year, attempting to distribute chocolate tasters to employees. She was reportedly turned away by staff but continued to pursue her agenda by going to the parking lot to hand out the chocolate.
Maurício Martins, the Secretary of Maranhão’s Department of Security, confirmed that authorities believe Barbosa’s motive was rooted in jealousy and revenge. He stated, “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.”
This act of cruelty appears to have been carefully calculated, with Barbosa seemingly harboring ill will toward Lira due to their relationship with the same man. In what can only be described as a deeply disturbing series of events, Barbosa is believed to have targeted the most vulnerable members of Lira’s family—the children—using a harmless-looking gift of Easter eggs to carry out her revenge.
The Impact on the Family and the Community
The deaths of Luis and Evelyn have had a devastating impact not only on their mother, Mirian Lira, but on the broader community as well. The shocking nature of the crime, coupled with the fact that the victims were two young children, has left many people reeling from the tragedy.
In Brazil, as in many parts of the world, Easter is a time of family gatherings, celebration, and joy. The fact that this holiday, which is meant to bring people together, became the backdrop for such a heinous act has further amplified the sense of disbelief surrounding the incident. The community has rallied around Mirian Lira, offering their condolences and support during this heartbreaking time.
For Lira, the loss of her children has created a profound void. While she is reportedly in stable condition, the emotional toll of losing two children in such a brutal manner is immeasurable. As she remains in the hospital, her grief is compounded by the knowledge that her children’s deaths were the result of a malicious act that she could not have anticipated. The circumstances surrounding their deaths, including the role played by Barbosa, have left her struggling to comprehend how such an unimaginable act could have occurred.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
As the investigation continues, police are piecing together the details of the crime and exploring Barbosa’s background. Authorities are working to determine whether there are additional charges that can be brought against her, as well as to assess any possible further connections between her and other similar incidents. The investigation is still ongoing, and police have not ruled out the possibility of uncovering further disturbing details about Barbosa’s actions in the weeks leading up to the poisoning.
Barbosa has been charged with multiple counts related to the deaths of the children, including murder, and her trial will be closely followed as it unfolds. The case is expected to highlight the dangerous intersection of personal vendettas and violence, with experts suggesting that acts of revenge such as this one can have devastating and far-reaching consequences.
A Call for Justice and Reflection
The deaths of Luis and Evelyn Silva have sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, with many questioning how such a tragedy could have been prevented. As the legal process moves forward, there is hope that the trial will bring a sense of accountability to those who commit acts of violence motivated by personal grievances.
For the family of the victims, there will be no true justice, no resolution, for the loss of two innocent lives. But there is a collective desire to see that Barbosa faces the full consequences of her actions. Authorities and advocates alike are pushing for a legal framework that can help protect vulnerable individuals from such acts of retaliation and ensure that those who engage in harmful behavior are held accountable.
Conclusion: The Lasting Impact
This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved personal conflict and revenge. What should have been a joyful family celebration turned into a nightmare, altering the lives of those involved forever. The deaths of Luis and Evelyn serve as a stark illustration of how deep-rooted animosities can lead to actions that have irreversible consequences.
As the community mourns the loss of these two young children, the case of the poisoned Easter eggs will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, not just on the families involved, but on society as a whole. In the aftermath of such a horrifying event, there is hope that lessons will be learned, that justice will be served, and that the memory of Luis and Evelyn Silva will serve as a catalyst for positive change, encouraging greater awareness and efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The tragic deaths of these two children, linked to an act of revenge, have left an indelible mark on the community. As the investigation continues and the legal proceedings unfold, the pursuit of justice will remain paramount, and the victims will never be forgotten.
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.