A woman accused of killing two teenage girls with poisoned chocolate-covered raspberries in Colombia has been pulled alive from the River Thames in London. Zulma Guzman Castro, the main suspect in the deaths of two minors in Bogotá, was rescued from the water near Battersea Bridge on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The girls tragically passed away in April after allegedly ingesting raspberries contaminated with thallium, a highly dangerous and odorless metal.
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In a dramatic turn of events, multiple UK outlets, including The Telegraph and The Times, reported the rescue of Zulma Guzman Castro. Interpol had previously issued a red notice for Castro’s arrest in connection with the deaths of Ines de Bedout, 14, and Emilia Forero, 13. The girls reportedly died four days after consuming the poisoned fruit, which had been delivered on April 3.
Despite the red notice, Zulma Guzman Castro was successfully apprehended after being found in distress on Battersea Bridge. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident and revealed that the woman, in her 50s, was taken to the hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening. Following the rescue, the Colombian ambassador to the UK, Laura Sarabia, confirmed that Castro, also known for her appearance on Shark Tank Colombia, was receiving medical treatment in London.
Investigations suggest that Castro may have targeted her former lover, Juan de Bedout, with the poisoned raspberries. The motive behind the alleged crime points to a failed romance between Castro and Juan, who is the father of one of the victims, Ines. It is believed that Castro fled Colombia after the incident, traveling to various countries before arriving in the UK on Nov. 11.
Family members of the victims shared heartbreaking tributes in the wake of the tragic event. Pedro Forero, the father of Emilia, paid homage to his daughter on social media, expressing his eternal love and loss. Additionally, local outlets reported that another girl suffered life-altering injuries from ingesting the poison, further highlighting the devastating impact of Castro’s alleged actions.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are coordinating efforts between countries to ensure justice is served in this harrowing case. With the swift capture of Zulma Guzman Castro in London, there is hope for closure and accountability for the families affected by the heartbreaking loss of Ines de Bedout and Emilia Forero.