- Poisoned Family Members: Erin Patterson Denies Wrongdoing
- Three Family Members Dead, One Critical After Consuming Toxic Meal
- Investigation into Homicide and Toxic Mushroom Consumption Underway
Erin Patterson was the only person who did not become ill after she served lunch to four family members, three of whom died and one of whom is in critical condition in the hospital.
As homicide detectives investigate her as a suspect in the case, a woman who served poisonous mushrooms to four family members before three of them died has fervently denied any wrongdoing.
Saturday, July 29, only Erin Patterson remained healthy after consuming the meal at her residence in Leongatha, Victoria, southeast Australia.
Don and Gail Patterson, both 70 years old, were among those who consumed the meal containing the toxic fungus.
At the table were also Gail Patterson’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, and her spouse Reverend Ian Wilkinson, 68.
All four felt ill by midnight that evening, and Gail Patterson and Mrs. Wilkinson passed away nearly a week later, on August 4th.
Don Patterson passed away the day after.
The superintendent of Korumburra Baptist Church, Reverend Wilkinson, is still fighting for his life in the hospital.
The two children of Erin Patterson also attended the lunch, but their meal did not contain the poisonous fungi.
According to reports, they have been brought into state custody as a “precaution.”
The case has captivated Australia since police opened a homicide investigation and revealed Mrs. Patterson as a suspect.
The 48-year-old woman is reportedly separated from her spouse, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, but their breakup has been described as amicable.
It is suspected that the four individuals were served mushrooms known as death caps, which are responsible for 90% of fatalities associated with toxic mushrooms.
Mrs. Patterson sobbed outside her home on Monday as she lamented the loss of “some of the best people I’ve ever met.”
“The loss to the community, the families, and to my children, who have lost their grandmother, is… “I simply cannot comprehend what has occurred,” she said.
“I am regretful for their loss of life. And I simply cannot comprehend it!”
Mrs. Patterson did not address reporters’ questions about the meal she prepared or the origin of the mushrooms.
However, when she was reminded that she was a suspect in the investigations, she denied any malfeasance.
“I didn’t do anything, I love them, and I’m devastated that they are gone,” she said.
The police say Mrs. Patterson’s investigation does not mean the deaths were not terrible accidents.
Det. Insp. Dean Thomas stated, “I’m not aware of any other investigation in which three people have died as a result of apparent food poisoning, whether caused by mushrooms or something else – so yes, it is quite unusual.”
“(Mrs. Patterson) has demonstrated no symptoms. Therefore, it is part of our investigation to determine whether or not she ate mushrooms or anything else that day.
