Easter is known for being a holiday that revolves around candy and chocolate. For many, it’s one of the best parts of the holiday. But what happens if your Easter treat turns deadly? Jordélia Pereira Barbosa reportedly used the popular holiday treat to exact revenge in a plot gone awry, and it ended up in the loss of a child’s life.
The woman allegedly poisoned a chocolate Easter egg and sent it to the current girlfriend of her ex. Unfortunately, Barbosa’s plan failed. Instead of killing the new girlfriend, the chocolate poisoned the woman’s son, killing him instead.
Barbosa, 35, was arrested in the Brazilian state of Maranhão after allegedly sending a poisoned egg to Mirian Lira, according to local news outlet FDamiaoNoticias. Lira and her teenage daughter, Evelyn Fernanda, were hospitalized in critical condition after eating the egg on April 16, 2025. Lira’s 7-year-old son, Luis Silva, also ate part of the egg. Investigators allege the boy died after falling “severely ill.”
FDamiaoNoticias and CNN Brazil reported that local authorities claim Barbosa sent Lira’s family a note with the egg. “With love, to Miriam Lira. Happy Easter,” the translation from Portuguese reads. Investigators believe that Barbosa was fueled by jealousy.
“The evidence suggests, based on several points investigated, that the crime was motivated by revenge and 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,” security official Maurício Martins said in a statement shared by The Standard.
Authorities believe that the Easter egg poisoning was a second attempt at poisoning Lira. According to investigators, Jordélia Pereira Barbosa had previously showed up at Lira’s job, handing out chocolates, Imperatriz Online reported.
Barbosa allegedly went to Lira’s place of work pretending to offer a chocolate tasting to employees. She was turned away when she couldn’t answer questions about the company she claimed she was representing. In the supermarket parking lot, Barbosa continued to try to hand out the chocolates. But Lira wasn’t there.
Instead, Barbosa allegedly got a chocolate Easter egg and had it delivered to Lira’s home.
Security footage obtained by CNN Brazil shows a woman, who is allegedly Barbosa in a wig and glasses, purchasing chocolates. Later, authorities found the wig and glasses. Additionally, they found a portion of the chocolate purchased.
Imperatriz Online reported in an update that Lira is recovering and communicating with family. Her teenage daughter remains in critical condition. Currently, it is unknown what kind of charges Jordélia Pereira Barbosa might face.
