A BUSINESSWOMAN accused of murdering two young girls in Colombia with poisoned chocolate raspberries has been arrested in London today.
Accused double killer has been held in a psychiatric unit since jumping into the River Thames from Battersea Bridge last month.
Accused double killer Zulma Guzman CastroCredit: X
She was found on Battersea Bridge, South West London, just before 7am on December 16Credit: X
A worldwide hunt was launched for after she left last year after allegedly killing Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero, with chocolates injected with lethal thallium.
Colombian say the poisonings may have been an alleged “act of vengeance” by Castro after a failed affair she had with the father of Ines.
She was found on Battersea Bridge, South West , just before 7am on December 16 and after a tense stand-off with negotiators jumped into the river.
Castro was found in the dark waters 10 minutes later and later sectioned for her safety.
She reportedly after drinking Buxton water during a TV interview.
The accused killer was spotted glugging from the British water brand during an exclusive interview with Colombian channel Focus Noticias.
A source said: “The bottle of water she drank from was Buxton Natural Mineral Water, a product mainly commercialised in the UK.
“The size of the bottle she was drinking are sold in street shops, which would indicate Guzman is in an apartment or house and not in a hotel.”
She was arrested for the first time today in relation to the suspected murder of the two children in Colombia.
Prior to her arrest this morning she has been held at a secure unit at St Charles Mental Hospital in Notting Hill under the Act since she was found in the Thames.
There was evidence she had self-harmed before entering the water.
She has been under psychiatric observation from specialist doctors since her admission.
A worldwide hunt was launched for 54-year-old Castro after she left Colombia last year after allegedly killing Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero (pictured)Credit: Facebook/@Pedro Forero
One of the alleged victims, 13-year-old Emilia Forero, with her dadCredit: Pixel8000
It is understood doctors gave the all-clear for her discharge after carrying out a further assessment of her mental health.
She was then arrested by officers from the National Extradition Unit – part of the UK’s National Agency – at the hospital this morning.
She was then taken to Islington Police Station for processing before being taken to Westminster Magistrates’ in a security van.
Castro is due to appear for a first extradition hearing at the court today.
The Sun has learned that Castro was already known to be in the UK and subject to an arrest warrant prior to her being discovered in the Thames.
Suggestions that she was only discovered to be in UK after she was seen drinking a bottle of Buxton mineral water and having an interview with Colombian TV, are inaccurate.
Flight records showed her entering the country on a flight from on November 11 and she was actively being sought by the National Crime Agency.
Her son is believed to be studying in the UK at a private school.
Colombian authorities had made a request to the UK for her capture and it is understood a warrant had been issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court for her arrest days before she was found.
The arrest today and extradition proceedings relate purely to the alleged murders of Ines de Bedout, 14, and her close friend Emilia Forero, 13,who tragically died in hospital just days after eating raspberry flavoured chocolates on April 3 last year.
Thallium was found in their blood. Castro denies the killings.
Ines is the daughter of Juan De Bedout who had an affair with Castro, who ran a e-car rental in Bogotá.
Reports in Colombia suggest police there are now investigating whether Castro was responsible for the death of Juan de Bedout’s wife, Alicia Graham Sardi, who died in August 2021.
Thallium was found in her blood, and doctors believe she was poisoned twice before her death, although her husband said she died of cancer.
An NCA spokesperson said “Zulma GUZMAN CASTRO, (aged 54), has today been arrested by officers from the NCA’s National Extradition Unit (NEU).
“Castro, who is wanted by the Colombian authorities in relation to murder and attempted murder, was arrested in W10 area of London.
“She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court this afternoon.”
She reportedly gave away her location after drinking Buxton water during a TV interviewCredit: Focus Noticias How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org , 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org , 116 123
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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