Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, a Colombian businesswoman accused of murdering two schoolgirls with poisoned chocolate raspberries, appeared in court in London to fight extradition proceedings. Colombian authorities are seeking her return to face charges of murder and attempted murder.
Guzman Castro was found near the River Thames in December, weeks after being named in her home country as the alleged perpetrator in the deaths of 14-year-old Ines de Bedout and 13-year-old Emilia Forero. The teenagers died in April of the previous year after consuming chocolate-covered raspberries believed to have been laced with thallium, a highly toxic substance. A 21-year-old brother of one of the victims and another teenage girl also consumed the poisoned fruit and were hospitalized.
Prosecutors allege Guzman Castro committed the murders as an "act of vengeance" following a secret affair with Ines's father, Juan de Bedout. The case has garnered significant media attention in Colombia, with several South American correspondents present at the extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Guzman Castro, who previously appeared on the Colombian version of "Shark Tank" and founded an electric car rental company named Car B, went on the run before an Interpol Red Notice was issued in December. Her whereabouts in Britain were reportedly discovered after she was filmed drinking Buxton mineral water during an interview with Colombian TV channel Focus Noticias.
She was taken to a hospital after being found by police in the Thames with injuries that were not life-threatening and was subsequently moved to a psychiatric unit. Officers from the National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit arrested her on January 6.
During the hearing, prosecutor Rosemary Davidson stated that Colombia's government requests extradition on charges of murder and attempted murder for the purpose of criminal prosecution. The court was informed that psychiatrists would provide evidence, and an officer from the National Crime Agency would address the court.
Emilia Forero's father, Pedro Forero, published a heartfelt tribute on social media following his daughter's death. He described the incomprehensible pain of losing a child and expressed his love and sorrow for not being able to protect her.
The girls were reportedly at a swanky apartment in Bogota with an older brother and a friend when they consumed the fatal dessert. Thallium, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless substance, is commonly used in manufacturing electronics, optical lenses, and alloys. Ines and Emilia reportedly died four days after consuming the raspberries.