A 55-year-old man was also treated for suspected food poisoning while medics continue to monitor the condition of an 18-year-old woman
Matt Jackson Trendswatch Content Editor and Maria Ortega
13:51, 29 Dec 2025Updated 15:48, 29 Dec 2025
A mother and daughter were taken to hospital after Christmas dinner, but died shortly after(Image: Getty Images)
A mother and her 15-year-old daughter have tragically died after allegedly consuming a “contaminated” Christmas dinner. The duo reportedly passed away within hours of each other after sharing the festive meal with their family.
Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and her daughter Sara Di Vita are believed to have consumed fish, mussels and mushrooms during the dinner in Pietracatella, Italy. Authorities suspect they subsequently developed fulminant hepatitis – liver failure – as a result of food poisoning.
Shortly after partaking in the meal, the mother and daughter began experiencing symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain. Sara was rushed to the emergency room twice before being discharged by medical staff.
Her condition worsened and she tragically passed away at Cardarelli Hospital at 11pm on Saturday. Antonella was admitted to hospital shortly afterwards when she started exhibiting the same symptoms.
Vincenzo Cuzzone, from Cardarelli Hospital, told Il Messaggero: “The clinical picture took a truly rare turn, which quickly led to death, despite the care we provided.
“They began to show these symptoms after a meal, but this is fragmentary information gathered from family members who were in shock.”
They ate fish, mussels and mushrooms(Image: Getty Images)
The doctor noted that Sara presented with “generic symptoms” upon her arrival at the hospital. He added that the “rapid and sudden progression” of the condition prompted them to admit Antonella to the hospital as a precaution.
He further stated: “After her death, and given the rapid and sudden progression of events, we asked the family to bring her mother to the hospital as well, since relatives reported that she was suffering from the same symptoms. We tried to stay ahead of the curve, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”
Ganni Di Vita, 55, the father of the family, is said to have developed the same symptoms, reports La Parisien. He was transferred to the intensive care unit at Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, where he remains.
The woman and her daughter were taken to Cardarelli Hospital(Image: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
The couple’s 18-year-old daughter is being monitored closely. The doctor added: “It seems that she did not have dinner with them that evening.”
The police took food samples from the home, including tinned food and fresh produce to try and determine which dish could have poisoned the family. The public prosecutor’s office has also launched an investigation, ordering autopsies to be carried out.
Antonella Di Ielsi and her daughter died after eating ‘contaminated’ Christmas dinner
Village mayor Antonio Tommasone said: “We are devastated. This is a tragedy that leaves us speechless. The village is in disbelief at such a tragedy. I offer my condolences and those of the entire community.”
Local villagers held a vigil at the hospital following the deaths while Christmas events were cancelled. According to Il Messaggero, five doctors from Cardarelli Hospital in Campobasso are under investigation for manslaughter.
Prosecutor Nicola D’Angelo has stated that the investigation will scrutinise potential negligence, endeavour to determine what poisoned the pair, and “ensure that no other citizens are involved in a tragedy of this nature”.