Campobasso: breakthrough in the case of mother and daughter who died at Christmas: they were poisoned with ricin

Campobasso, 31 March (LaPresse) – A breakthrough has been made in the investigation into the deaths of Sara Di Vita, 15, and her mother Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, who died between 27 and 28 December at Cardarelli Hospital in Campobasso following an illness initially attributed to suspected food poisoning. According to information from investigative sources, the two women from Pietracatella were allegedly poisoned with ricin, a highly toxic substance found in the seeds of the castor oil plant. The Campobasso Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a new investigation, currently against persons unknown, on the grounds of double murder. Traces of the substance reportedly emerged during toxicological tests carried out on biological samples. Investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances and identify those responsible, whilst further analyses are underway to consolidate the evidence. The post-mortem, carried out on 31 December, did not provide immediate answers and the final results have not yet been submitted.