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By Maria Perez
Staff Writer
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An Italian man poisoned his entire family with thallium, killing three people and leaving five hospitalized, in a dispute after his mother joined a cult, authorities said.
Mattia Del Zorro, 27, confessed to the crime after police searched his home and found receipts for thallium, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless compound that is extremely toxic, prosecutors said.
Monza prosecutor Luisa Zanetti said Del Zotto reportedly told investigators his mother had joined a cult and wanted to "punish impure" people.
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Carabinieri Capt. Manusueto Consentino said investigators were still trying to figure out Del Zotto's motive. Consentino said Del Zotto wasn't under psychiatric care or religious, but his family said he had grown more "introverted" lately.
Italian media have been speculating for weeks about the mysterious poisoning after traces of thallium were found in the tea consumed by the family. The grandparents became sick at the end of the summer and died in October, while some relatives remained hospitalized with neurological problems.
Thallium symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss, and effects on the nervous system, lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. The metal element can also cause death.
Just last week, a Vermont resident of a retirement community admitted to authorities that she made ricin in her home and tested the poison by putting it in her neighbor's food and drinks.
Betty Miller, 70, told authorities that she wanted to "injure herself" and tested the effectiveness of the poison on other residents living at West Robin senior living facility in Shelburne, Vermont, according to a criminal complaint that was filed in federal court on Thursday, the Burlington Free Press reported.
The Vermont Health Department said one person most likely fell ill with ricin poisoning but said no one is currently sick.
In November, Bosnian Croat military leader Slobodan Praljak killed himself by drinking poison in protest during the trial at U.N. judges for upholding his 20-year sentence for war crimes against Bosnian Muslims.
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