02 November 2023 , 09:23
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An Australian woman at the centre of a mushroom lunch that left three people dead has been charged with murder.
Erin Patterson, 48, was arrested on Thursday morning and taken to Wonthaggi Police Station in East Victoria. Police questioned her in connection with the deaths of her ex-husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson, 66. Ms Wilkinson's husband Ian survived and is still recovering after spending two months in hospital receiving treatment.
Police said Patterson has been charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder. She has been remanded in custody and will appear at the Morwell Magistrates' Court on Friday morning.
Toxicology reports revealed the victims ate death cap mushrooms (Nine)Officers said the attempted murder charges relate to separate incidents in Victoria between 2021 and 2022. Police allege a man from Korumburra, Victoria, became ill following other meals on those dates, according to ABC News.
The three victims died after consuming death cap mushrooms as part of a beef Wellington pie made by Patterson. The woman maintains she is innocent and told the police she did not intentionally poison her guests at her home in the town of Leongatha on July 29.
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Don and Gail Patterson both died (supplied)Her ex-husband Simon Patterson had also been invited to the family lunch but was unable to make it at the last minute. Patterson was named as a suspect by the police as she and her two children did not fall ill after the lunch.
Patterson previously said she had "no reason to hurt these people, whom I loved", adding she was "devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones".
Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, left, also died, while husband Ian was left critically ill (Facebook)The homicide squad's Inspector Dean Thomas urged people to remember that three people lost their lives and will be missed by their loved ones. He said: "Over the last three months, this investigation has been subjected to incredibly intense levels of public scrutiny and curiosity. I cannot think of another investigation that has generated this level of media and public interest, not only here in Victoria but also nationally and internationally.
"I think it is particularly important that we keep in mind that at the heart of this, three people have lost their lives. These are three people who by all accounts were much beloved in their communities and are greatly missed by their loved ones."