A businesswoman accused of the murder of two young girls in Colombia has refused to be extradited from Britain to face charges.
Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London after being arrested earlier in the day.
She stands accused of poisoning two girls, Ines de Bedout, 14, and Emilia Forero, 13, with chocolates laced with lethal thallium, per The Sun.
Castro's Court Appearance and Extradition Refusal
Castro, who appeared in court dressed in a black jacket and white-and-black striped top, confirmed her identity but refused to consent to her extradition.
District Judge Sarah Turnock remanded her in custody, and she is set to be taken to HMP Bronzefield.
A future hearing will determine whether Castro will be sent back to Colombia to face trial.
The Murder Accusations: A Crime of Revenge?
Castro is wanted by Colombian authorities for allegedly poisoning the two girls in April 2022, with chocolate raspberries that contained deadly thallium.
The prosecution suggests the murders may have been an act of vengeance following a failed affair between Castro and the father of Ines, Juan De Bedout.
Prosecutor Rosemary Davidson told the court that the Colombian government is seeking Castro’s extradition on charges of murder and attempted murder.
She emphasized that the extradition request is aimed at securing a criminal prosecution for these serious charges.
The Dramatic Events Leading to Castro's Arrest
In a series of dramatic events, Castro was discovered in the River Thames on December 16, 2025, after jumping from Battersea Bridge in South West London, per the Daily Mail.
She had been involved in a tense standoff with negotiators before taking the leap into the river.
Emergency responders found her within 10 minutes, and she was taken to a secure unit at St Charles Mental Health Hospital for psychiatric observation.
During her hospital stay, it was revealed that Castro had previously self-harmed. However, after a psychiatric evaluation, she was cleared for discharge.
Castro was then arrested at the hospital by officers from the UK's National Extradition Unit.
The Search for Castro and Her Connection to the UK
The search for Zulma Guzman Castro began after she fled Colombia in 2022.
Colombian police say she may have left the country in connection with the poisoning incident and potentially the death of her lover's wife, Alicia Graham Sardi, in 2021.
Reports suggest Castro entered the UK in November 2022, flying from Madrid.
This was confirmed through flight records, and prior to her arrest, she had already been the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Despite speculation that her presence in the UK was only revealed after she was seen in an interview with Colombian TV, this claim has been debunked.
It is believed that Castro’s son is studying at a private school in the UK, which may explain her connection to the country. Colombian authorities had been working with the National Crime Agency to locate her.
Poisoning Allegations and Further Investigations
The tragic deaths of Ines and Emilia in April 2022 came after they consumed chocolates filled with thallium, a deadly poison.
Both girls died in the hospital just days later, with thallium found in their blood. Castro denies any involvement in the deaths.
Further investigations in Colombia are now focusing on whether Castro may have played a role in the 2021 death of Alicia Graham Sardi, the wife of Ines’ father, Juan De Bedout.
Doctors have suggested that Sardi may have been poisoned on more than one occasion before her death, although her husband initially claimed she died from cancer.
Castro’s legal team, led by James Stansfeld, did not apply for bail at the hearing. The next step in the extradition process will take place on January 12, 2026, when Castro is due to appear for a further hearing via video link. A case management hearing is also scheduled for February 9, 2026.