Three people have died from suspected mushroom poisoning after sharing a meal at Erin Patterson’s home in July. A 49-year-old woman, Erin Patterson, has been charged with murder after three people died from suspected mushroom poisoning in a regional Victorian town. Patterson was arrested at her Leongatha home in South Gippsland and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. She was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Morwell Magistrates Court on Friday.
The charges stem from an incident on July 29, where four people fell ill after lunch at Patterson’s home. Heather Wilkinson, 66, her sister Gail Patterson, and brother-in-law Don Patterson, both 70, all died after the meal. Heather Wilkinson’s husband Ian, 68, spent close to two months in the hospital critically ill and is still in recovery. Patterson’s two children were also at home during the lunch but did not eat the same meal.
Additionally, three attempted murder charges relate to separate incidents in Victoria between 2021 and 2022. Police believe the symptoms experienced by the four diners were consistent with being poisoned by death cap mushrooms. Patterson had previously been named as a suspect, as she cooked the lunch that is believed to have led to the deaths. She was interviewed by police but released without charge.
Notably, police have warned against speculation and sharing misinformation about the investigation, stressing the importance of timely updates that do not compromise the ongoing inquiries. The arrest marks a significant development in the case, but Detective Inspector Dean Thomas emphasized that their primary focus is on the lives lost and the impact on their loved ones.
The investigation has attracted intense public scrutiny, with hundreds of people attending public memorials for the victims. Mrs. Wilkinson, Mrs. Patterson, and Mr. Patterson were remembered for their commitment to their families and tight-knit community in Korumburra.
A timeline of the suspected mushroom poisoning incidents includes a shared meal at Patterson’s home on July 29, followed by hospitalizations and deaths in August. Police executed a search warrant at Patterson’s home and questioned her before releasing her pending further inquiries in early August. Patterson denied any wrongdoing and expressed regret for a “no comment” interview she gave to police in August. Public memorial services were held for the victims in August and October. Ian Wilkinson left the hospital in September after nearly two months of treatment. Finally, Erin Patterson was arrested and interviewed on November 2, with authorities conducting a search of her home with assistance from Australian Federal Police detector dogs.