28 August 2023 , 15:03
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The estranged husband of a woman accused of killing his parents by poisoning them with a toxic mushroom asked her if she had killed them on purpose when he heard the tragic news.
Erin Patterson, 48, cooked a Beef Wellington for her former in-laws Gail and Don Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian, at her house in Gippsland, Australia at the end of July. On August 11, the housewife said her husband Simon Patterson - who she hadn't seen in a number of months before the tragedy - asked her if the blood of her elderly guests was on her hands. All four dinner guests became gravely ill within moments before being rushed to hospital with digestive issues.
Mr Wilkinson was the sole survivor after the Pattersons and his wife passed away from the mushroom's toxic effects. Church Pastor Mr Wilkinson is currently fighting for his life in hospital. Just like her guests, Patterson claims she consumed the safe dish as her guests, but that she didn't suffer such severe symptoms. It was at the hospital where she was treated that she was questioned by her ex-partner.
Simon Patterson asked his ex-wife straight whether she had killed his parentsAfter mentioning the "food hydrator" to him, which cops initially believed could have been one of the murder weapons, her ex-hubby asked: "Is that what you used to poison them?" In Patterson's written statement, she also revealed one of her major "regrets" from the day in question.
When she was approached by police, she repeatedly said "no comment" during her interview. She says that this was something she regretted, and wishes she had complied with police more fully. "I now very much regret not answering some questions following this advice given the nightmare that this process has become," she wrote in the statement.
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According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which initially obtained the statement, she was worried about losing custody of her two children. This fear lead her to panic and dump the dehydrator at a local rubbish dump.
Earlier this week, Simon's parents were buried during a secret ceremony. The Daily Mail reports that a muddy note attached to a bouquet of flowers where the beloved couple were buried reads: "Loving memories of Donald and Gail." Another note says: "Forever in our hearts." The couple were buried during a private ceremony attended by their closest family members.
Gail and Don Patterson were buried last week in a secret ceremony (Nine)The police said the victims' 48-year-old daughter-in-law remains a "person of interest" but is not in custody. According to 7News, Ms Patterson, who has two children with her ex-husband Simon Patterson, did not the private burial service.
A public memorial service for Gail and Don, who were both 70 years old, will be held at the Korumburra Recreation Centre on August 31. A statement from the family read: "The Patterson family has expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love, support and understanding during this challenging time. They have been touched by the many memories and stories shared by friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who were touched by Don and Gail‘s kindness and generosity.