A Colombian businesswoman who is accused of killing two girls with poisoned raspberries 'tricked' the children into thinking they were a free gift, a court has heard.
Ines de Bedout, 14, and her friend Emilia Forero, 13, died days after eating chocolate-covered raspberries laced with the highly toxic metal thallium, known as the 'silent killer', in April last year.
Zulma Guzman Castro, who is wanted in Colombia accused of murdering the two girls, was discovered to be hiding in Britain after she was seen drinking from a Buxton water bottle during a TV interview.
The 55-year-old is currently battling against extradition back to Colombia at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Ms de Bedout was the daughter of Guzman's former lover, Juan de Bedout, and her friend was visiting for a sleepover when the deadly delivery arrived.
She allegedly carried out the poisonings as an 'act of vengeance' following a failed affair with Mr de Bedout.
The 21-year-old brother of one of the victims and another teenage girl also ate the berries and were taken to hospital.
Guzman jumped into the Thames near Battersea Bridge on December 16 2025 after she was found to be living in London and was pulled from the water.
Pictured: Zulma Guzman Castro who is accused of killing two girls in Colombia after they ate poisoned raspberries
Guzman was found to be living in the UK after she was spotted drinking a bottle of Buxton water during a television interview
She was taken to hospital after being found by police in the Thames with non-life-threatening injuries and was moved to a psychiatric unit.
Guzman was arrested on January 6 by officers from the National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit.
Rosemary Davidson, for the Colombian government, said a delivery driver attended the de Bedout address at 18.30 on April 4, 2025 'with a parcel the family initially refused to accept.
'On hearing that the chocolate covered raspberries were a free gift from the delivery app, the parcel was brought in and kept in the freezer.
'Later Ines ate eight raspberries, Emilia ate about five, and a third girl, referred to as GBC, ate three.'
'All three were taken to hospital. Emilia died of multiple organ failure on 5 April.'
Ines also died, and GBC suffered serious illness. All three were found to have suffered acute thallium poisoning.
The court heard a vet used by Guzman in Bogota has told Colombian police he accepted a payment of 12,000 Pesos from her as credit on a delivery app in lieu of cash after he vaccinated her cats.
Ines de Bedout, 14, and 13-year-old Emilia Forero (pictured) died days after eating the poisoned raspberries in April last year
A digital transaction for the same sum has been linked to the delivery of the poisoned raspberries, Ms Davidson said.
Colombian police geolocation expert Diana Hernandez tried to pin down the movements of Guzman on the day of the delivery by analysing a phone number thought to be hers.
'The phone number ending in 686 registered in Argentina can be shown to be at the delivery address at around the time of the pickup,' said Ms Davidson.
She added: 'Deleted searches for 'uses of thallium' were made and deleted from an email address linked to the defendant.'
The colourless, odourless and tasteless metal is commonly used to make electronics and radiation detection equipment.
Guzman, who has been held on remand at HMP Bronzefield, appeared in court wearing a white shirt under a dark jacket, her blonde hair in a sweeping bob.
She refused an interpreter and made copious notes during the hearing.
Guzman has also received a summons from Colombia requiring her to attend a virtual hearing there in relation to two charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder next Monday.
Ms Davidson said: 'This is a case involving very serious allegations where the public interest in extradition is very high. The Colombian authorities have worked with us in a spirit of maximum cooperation.'
She dismissed concerns that temporary detention facilities provided for Ms Guzman while awaiting trial in Colombia would be inadequate.
'There would be a well-lit and ventilated cell and there is certainly plenty of space. Her article three rights would be respected'.
Joel Smith, KC, defending Guzman, took issue with the suggestion 'that the Colombians have given every cooperation',
He said: 'We have been waiting two days for requested information.
'The issue of temporary detention has not been addressed. There is the history of detention in Colombia to consider.'
Christian Ruiz Gonzales, a Colombian lawyer based in the Hague, was called by Mr Smith as a defence witness as they criticised prison conditions in the South American country.
Mr Smith claimed that there had been 'near constant' reporting of the case in Colombia where the content of closed judicial hearings had been printed or leaked.
He asked Mr Gonzales if this should happen and he replied 'no'.
And when asked if it does happen, Mr Gonzales acknowledged: 'Yes, sometimes.'
Mr Smith asked: 'Where would these media have come from? Are we looking at the judge, the prosecutor and the victim's families?'
Mr Gonzales replied: 'Yes, nobody else would be present at a closed hearing. Someone must have leaked the details quickly.'
Mr Smith described conditions in Colombian prisons as a 'crisis' and recalled a case where a woman accused of killing a child was attacked by five inmates and her cell was set alight.
'Is that what you mean by the difference between paper and practice in Colombia, Mr Gonzales?'
The lawyer replied: 'Yes.'
A tribute to Emilia Forero was previously shared on social media by her devastated father, Pedro.
Pedro said: 'Fourteen years ago, a life of hopes, joys and dreams began; a life that filled a family, a father and a mother.
'But it wasn't just the joy of someone else's life; it was the beginning of the life of an excellent human being who had dreams, hopes and goals.'
'As a father, it is incomprehensible to think that someone was capable of taking this away. She did not just take away my opportunity to be a father-in-law, grandfather and everything else one can be as a parent. She took away my daughter's opportunity to be a girlfriend, a professional, a wife, a mother and a daughter.'
'I am sorry I could not protect you from this broken world. Despite the pain, I am glad to have had you in my life. I hope to have one last hug from you, even if it is only in my dreams.'
Cross-examining Mr Gonzales, Ms Davidson said: 'You've criticised the media's depiction of Ms Guzman. She's described as a businesswoman; it's not inherently derogatory is it?'
Mr Gonzales replied: 'The term in Colombia can have some connotations about women who have a certain influence in society, there is an aspect of social class.'
Ms Davidson asked: 'You've said she's been cast as an archetype - the poisoner, the spurned, possessive woman. But the core allegation is that she delivered poison to her lover's house, is that not correct?'
Mr Gonzales conceded the point.
Turning to the allegations of pre-trial media leaks, Ms Davidson said: 'You write that the material from the file held by the state has been published selectively. I want to be clear about what you're alleging here.
'Are you suggesting that the Attorney General [in Colombia] has leaked this information in order to prejudice this case?'
Mr Gonzales replied: 'I do not know. All I can say is that there are very few people who have access to these files.
'I was told there would be no further investigation into the leak, and I was surprised to hear that,' he told the court.
District judge John Zani said, 'How do you know they're not going to investigate? They may be taking steps but not putting it in writing.'
Ms Davidson said 'The matter of Ms Guzman's innocence or guilt must be decided by the Judge in Colombia, who sits alone, and must uphold the presumption of innocence.'
The hearing continues.
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