A woman in business stands accused of the tragic deaths of two schoolgirls, allegedly poisoned by consuming chocolate-covered raspberries. The accused, identified as Zulma Guzman, aged 54, was apprehended after authorities uncovered her attempt to flee the country by purchasing a flight ticket to Brazil. The incident occurred in Colombia, where Guzman is alleged to have contaminated the raspberries with a toxic substance known as thallium and delivered them to the victims’ residence. The motive behind the crime is believed to be linked to a personal vendetta stemming from a failed relationship with one of the victim’s fathers.

Guzman’s suspicious activities were flagged to UK authorities when she entered Manchester Airport after relocating from Colombia. She was later found on Battersea Bridge in London, where she attempted to evade capture by jumping into the River Thames. Following her rescue, she was admitted to a mental health facility and subsequently arrested on January 6. Currently, she is detained in a prison in Kent, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Reports suggest that Guzman had already procured a plane ticket to Brazil before her encounter with the police. According to Maria Elvira Aranga, a Colombian TV presenter, Guzman’s actions indicate an attempt to escape authorities. Despite her denial of any involvement in the poisoning, Guzman’s fate now rests on the extradition process back to Colombia, where she is expected to clarify the events leading to the tragic incident.

While Guzman is the primary suspect in the case, another woman, allegedly involved in delivering the poisoned package, has been called in for questioning. She maintains her innocence, claiming to be a victim of identity theft. Colombian authorities are actively investigating the death of another individual, Alicia Graham Sardi, the late wife of Juan de Bedout, who passed away in 2021 after being diagnosed with cancer. Suspicion arose when tests revealed elevated levels of thallium in Sardi’s body, following symptoms of hair loss and severe leg pain.

In an interview conducted after her escape from Colombia, Guzman vehemently denied any wrongdoing towards the girls and expressed empathy for their families. Flight records indicate her presence in the UK, where she was eventually apprehended. Guzman’s legal proceedings commenced with a court appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, where she was remanded in custody pending further hearings. The extradition process and investigations into the tragic incidents continue as authorities seek to bring closure to the affected families and seek justice for the victims.