A woman identified by Colombian media as Zulma Guzman Castro was pulled alive from the River Thames near Battersea Bridge on Dec. 16 and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She is the main suspect in the April poisoning deaths of two Bogotá teenagers who reportedly ate thallium-contaminated chocolate-covered raspberries. Interpol had issued a notice that was later reported as rescinded, and Colombian officials say British authorities must wait for her discharge before making a formal arrest.
Woman Accused in Bogotá Raspberry Poisonings Pulled Alive from River Thames Near Battersea Bridge
SonyZulma Guzman Castro on 'Shark Tank Columbia '
A woman wanted in Colombia on suspicion of poisoning two teenage girls was rescued alive from the River Thames near Battersea Bridge on Dec. 16 and taken to a London hospital, British and Colombian media reported.
Who Was Rescued: Metropolitan Police’s Marine Policing Unit recovered a woman in her 50s, identified by Colombian outlets as Zulma Guzman Castro, at 07:14 GMT after officers were called at 06:45 about a person in distress on Battersea Bridge. Police said the woman’s injuries were not "life-threatening or life-changing."
InterpolA photo of the Zulma Guzman Castro Interpol notice
Background Of The Case: Guzman Castro is the principal suspect in the April deaths of two Bogotá teenagers, who reportedly ate chocolate-covered raspberries contaminated with thallium, a highly toxic and odorless metal. Local reports name the victims as 14-year-old Ines de Bedout and 13-year-old Emilia Forero; the fruit was delivered on April 3 and the girls are reported to have died several days later.
Colombian coverage also says a further girl suffered life-changing injuries after the same incident and that a 21-year-old relative of one victim was hospitalized. Authorities and media outlets report that Guzman Castro has denied responsibility for the deaths.
KevinAlexanderGeorge/GettyA photo of Battersea Bridge in London, U.K.
Legal And Diplomatic Notes: Interpol had reportedly issued a red notice for Guzman Castro in relation to the case, though some British outlets say the notice was later rescinded. Colombian Ambassador to the U.K. Laura Sarabia told local media that Guzman Castro — described by some outlets as a businesswoman — is receiving treatment in a London hospital and, under British law, cannot be formally arrested until she is discharged.
British press reports indicate Guzman Castro left Colombia in April and traveled through Argentina, Brazil and Spain before arriving in the U.K. in November; a warrant for her arrest was reportedly issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier this week. Local reporting also notes Guzman Castro previously appeared on Shark Tank Colombia and investigators are exploring a possible motive involving a former romantic partner, identified in Colombian outlets as Juan de Bedout, who is the father of one victim.
Tribute: In a social media post quoted by The Times, Pedro Forero, the father of Emilia Forero, wrote about his enduring love and grief on what would have been his daughter’s 14th birthday.
Interpol, the U.K.’s National Crime Agency and the Colombian Embassy in London had not immediately provided additional comment to media requests, according to outlet reporting. Authorities in both countries continue to investigate and clarify legal steps following the hospitalisation and recovery of the suspect.
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