In Pietracatella, Italy, Sara DiVita, 15, and her mother, Antonella Di Ielsi, died shortly after Christmas following a meal, with ricin now suspected as the cause.
Initial Illness and Hospitalization
The incident occurred in the small town of Pietracatella, approximately 260 kilometers southeast of Rome, in December 2025. Sara DiVita, 15, and her mother, Antonella Di Ielsi, became ill after a shared meal.
Initial suspicions focused on food poisoning in Italy.
Family Members Affected
Gianni, the girls’ father and former mayor of the town, was also hospitalized but his condition improved, and he was discharged. The family’s eldest daughter did not participate in the meal.
Deteriorating Condition and Deaths
Doctors initially believed the symptoms were the result of food poisoning, suspecting fish or mushrooms. Both women were initially discharged from the hospital, but their condition rapidly worsened, requiring readmission.
According to Dr. Vincenzo Cuzzone of the Cardarelli hospital in Campobasso, as reported by BBC, the patients first experienced liver failure, followed by multi-organ failure progressing at an “unprecedented rate.” Both women died shortly after Christmas.
Investigation and New Findings
The initial investigation considered possible medical error, and the doctors who discharged the women were placed under investigation.
However, the investigation took a new turn following laboratory tests conducted in Italy and Switzerland. These tests revealed the presence of ricin – a highly toxic substance that can be fatal even in small amounts. Police have not yet identified a suspect, and the investigation is ongoing.
About Ricin
Ricin is one of the most dangerous known poisons, naturally occurring in castor bean seeds. Its ingestion can lead to rapid organ failure and death. There is no effective antidote for ricin poisoning.
Edited by Kamila Cieślik