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Erin Molan speaks out after abrupt axing

<p>Erin Molan has broken her silence after her show on Sky News Australia was abruptly cancelled, just two months after her 2GB radio show was also axed. </p> <p>Molan presented her final current affairs show on Sky News on Friday, before taking to Instagram to discuss her departure with her dedicated followers. </p> <p>In a video posted to social media, Erin said, "Well, first of all, hi. Wow, what a few days, I'm so grateful to everyone who has reached out and shared messages of support. You are all absolutely phenomenal. It's meant so so much to me, so thank you, my mind is seriously blown."</p> <p>She continued, "You've seen the news by now, clearly, that I finished up with Sky. I loved every second of my time with Sky, my show there became my purpose, my passion, and aside from my little girl, basically my entire existence, which is very sad, I know. And yes, I need to get out more."</p> <p>Erin then shared that while she is "done" with Sky now, she is "just getting started".</p> <p>"So, I'm sorry to those who had hoped otherwise," she said, jokingly adding, "I'm somewhat surprisingly much harder to kill off than you think."</p> <p>She added that her problem is that she cares "too much" about people, and "about the world, about a peaceful existence for every single child, about the safety of women everywhere".</p> <p>Erin revealed she's received job offers from other networks, admitting it would be nice to have "fewer death threats, more stability, a simpler life", however, she feels compelled to use her platform to shed more light on issues she is passionate about, such as the ongoing war in Gaza. </p> <p>"I won't ever accept what the world is dishing up right now, and nor should you," she said. "I will never bury my head in the sand, because that is not how I was raised."</p> <p>She finished by telling her followers to "watch this space".</p> <p>Erin's time at Sky News draws to a close just months after her radio show, co-hosted by Dave Hughes and Ed Kavalee, was also <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/beloved-breakfast-radio-show-pulled-off-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pulled off the air</a> after three years. </p> <p><em>Image credits: for AWAPAC/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

TV

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Devastated Plummer daughters farewell their father

<p>The three young daughters of television presenter Erin Jayne Plummer have said a final goodbye to their late father, two years after their mother also took her own life. </p> <p>Alan Plummer, 49, died in Sydney's northern beaches last month after his extensive struggles with mental health issues, with his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/husband-of-aussie-tv-presenter-dies-two-years-after-his-wife-s-passing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> leaving the couple's three daughters orphaned. </p> <p>Their daughters, aged 18, 15 and 10, were surrounded by loved ones at Alan's funeral at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium on Thursday, where eldest daughter Elani addressed the congregation. </p> <p>Elani began her eulogy by acknowledging the support she and her sisters had received since their father - widely known as 'Big Al' - died.</p> <p>"I firstly wanted to say a massive thank you to the families who have taken us three girls under their wings the past three weeks. We love you guys so much."</p> <p>Elani said she and her father had made a promise to be each other's best friend forever while walking along Freshwater beach when she was 10-years-old, saying, "Nothing that our family has been through in the last two years could have prepared me for losing my best friend."</p> <p>The 18-year-old concluded her eulogy by saying, "We promise to win this battle against mental health that seems to plague our family. And with patience and kindness I promise it stops here."</p> <p>Mr Plummer was found dead at Freshwater on Sydney's northern beaches on November 10th after failing to meet a friend for a morning swim.</p> <p>The friend rang police to request a welfare check and officers arrived at the Plummer family home to inform Elani her father was missing.</p> <p>His body was found an hour later by a lifeguard at the foot of a cliff at Freshwater beach. </p> <p><em><strong>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. </strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Husband of Aussie TV presenter dies two years after his wife's passing

<p>Alan Plummer, husband of TV presenter Erin Jayne Plummer who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/tv-presenter-s-cause-of-death-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> in 2022, has passed away. </p> <p>The 49-year-old passed away in a suspected self-harm incident in Sydney's northern beaches on Saturday, with his death leaving the couple's three daughters orphaned. </p> <p>The tragedy comes two years after his wife, who was a host on <em>Studio 10</em>, died at just 42 years old in May 2022.</p> <p>Erin represented Australia as a synchronised swimmer at three world championships and won 11 national titles, before going on to have a successful career hosting advertorials, appearing on <em>Studio 10</em>, <em>TVSN</em>, <em>Mornings with Keri-Anne</em> and <em>The Morning Show</em>.</p> <p>At the time of Erin's death, <em>Studio 10</em> host Sarah Harris shared the devastating news with the audience. </p> <p>“For two decades, Erin has been a friendly and familiar face on Australian telly, and for a lot of that she's been brightening up our mornings with her bubbly personality and megawatt smile."</p> <p>“Erin was just a gorgeous human inside and out... We'll miss your sunshine around the studio, Erin Jayne, and all of us here are sending lots of love and strength to her family. You'll be very missed.”</p> <p>A NSW Police Force spokesperson confirmed the Alan's death in a statement to <em>Daily Mail Australia</em>, saying, “Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner regarding the death of a 49-year-old man at Freshwater on Saturday.”</p> <p>Mr Plummer had recently sold the family’s four-bedroom Freshwater home, which they had owned for more than two decades.</p> <p>He was the former director of Shine VIP Tours Australia PTY LTD — a now-defunct company that was shut down in 2020. </p> <p><em><strong>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. </strong></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong>Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au</strong></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong>Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636</strong></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong>SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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"I really thought he would kill me": Erin Molan opens up about abusive relationship

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains discussions of domestic violence which some readers may find confronting</strong></em></p> <p>Radio and TV presenter Erin Molan has opened up for the first time about horrific abuse she endured at the hands of an ex-partner. </p> <p>Speaking candidly to the <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/exclusive-interview-erin-molan-opens-up-about-horrific-abuse-she-suffered-from-a-man-she-dated/news-story/d2921145ef5010a413bab6c9a830f3bc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sunday Telegraph</em></a>, the 40-year-old presenter recalled many of her "worst" moments with her former boyfriend, sharing how she feared for her life when he became physically abusive. </p> <p>'“He came in drunk and dragged me out of bed and started stamping his foot into my head over and over and over,” she told the publication. </p> <p>“I was lying on the floor screaming and normally if I screamed really loudly he would stop because neighbours would hear. But that time he just kept going and going and it felt like my skull was going to crack open.”</p> <p>She said the relentless physical violence became a pattern of behaviour, and she would regularly be brutally injured. </p> <p>“One time he smashed a bottle over my head,” she says. “Another time I was terrified he’d throw me off a balcony. Once I ran to hide in my car and he got a rubbish bin and started smashing it against the windscreen and I feared I would be killed by glass shattering over me.</p> <p>“Another time he covered my face with a pillow so I couldn’t breathe. I was crying for my mum. I really thought he would kill me.”</p> <p>Molan said she chose not publicly discuss the abuse while her beloved dad, Senator Jim Molan, was alive because she didn’t want to break his heart, but now she wants others to know what she went through.</p> <p>In sharing her heartbreaking story, she also hopes she can give other victims of domestic violence the courage to come forward. </p> <p>“I’m not sharing my story because I want to. My preference would be for this part of my life to never be shared but with every single death I see in this space, a part of me wonders whether I could have made a difference,” she says.</p> <p>“Could my experience have made these beautiful, innocent women feel less alone, less ashamed, less scared and could that have been the tiny thing that may have empowered them to ask for help, the thing that might have helped to save their lives?”</p> <p>Molan added that while it’s confronting for her to speak out, she wants things to change, not just for her generation but for her daughter’s.</p> <p>As she says, “I want to worry about my daughter’s first boyfriend breaking her heart, not her bones.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: for AWAPAC/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

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Shannen Doherty's mother breaks silence

<p>Shannen Doherty's mum has shared a touching tribute following the actress' death. </p> <p>The <em>Charmed </em>star <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/force-of-nature-tributes-flow-for-shannen-doherty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed away</a> on July 13 aged 53 following a nine-year battle with cancer. </p> <p>Shannen's mum, Rosa Doherty, has now thanked her daughter's fans for their support. </p> <p>"She is my beautiful girl and my heart," Rosa told <em>People</em>.</p> <p>"Our family wants to thank everyone who has shown love and support for our Shannen throughout her life. We are truly appreciative."</p> <p>Shannen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and went into remission two years later. </p> <p>In 2022 she shared that the cancer had returned and spread, and was now stage four. A year later, she told fans that the cancer had spread to her brain.  </p> <p>Shannen had a close relationship with her mum, and had previously credited her mum for teaching her how to push through hard times. </p> <p>In a 2023 interview with <em>People</em>, she recalled how her mum pushed through despite her brain aneurysm when Shannen was eight, and how that experience stuck with her. </p> <p>“I come from a woman who was determined,” she told the publication at the time. </p> <p>“She impressed that upon me as a very young child like, 'You don't give up. You just have to work hard at it.' "</p> <p>“I think I was always a fighter,” she added. “I was raised that way to be very strong and that I could do anything that I put my mind to.”</p> <p>The actress carried that attitude despite her battle with cancer, and in an April episode of her podcast <em>Let's Be Clear</em>, she opened up on her desire to keep living. </p> <p>“I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with creating. I’m not done with hopefully changing things for the better," she said in the podcast. </p> <p>"I’m just not — I’m not done."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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Shannen Doherty's powerful final act before passing

<p>Shannen Doherty agreed to settle her divorce with ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko just one day before her death. </p> <p>According to court documents obtained by<em> Page Six</em> on Monday, the former <em>90210</em> star agreed to waive spousal support and to a "default or uncontested dissolution" of their marriage, indicating that the former couple settled their split outside of court. </p> <p>While Doherty signed the agreement on Friday, July 12, her ex-husband signed it on Saturday July 13 - the day the actress lost her nine-year-long battle with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/force-of-nature-tributes-flow-for-shannen-doherty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">breast cancer</a>. </p> <p>“It is the mutual wish and desire of the parties to effect a full, complete, and final settlement of all their respective property interests, future and present, by this Judgement, and … completely resolve any and all issues relating to division of property, reimbursement claims and/or credits, spousal support, and attorneys’ fees and costs,” the documents reportedly state.</p> <p>Not long after Doherty passed away, her friend Tara Furiani called out Iswarienko for his lack of "humanity" during his and Doherty's bitter divorce battle which began in April 2023. </p> <p>She claimed that he was "dragging his feet” so he wouldn’t have to pay her.</p> <p>“Life is so hard … life is extra hard with cancer and without the support you thought you’d have,” Furiani shared.</p> <p>“If you have the opportunity to be a decent person, take it. You have no idea what people are dealing with and going through.”</p> <p>Iswarienko's lawyer has previously rejected all claims that Iswarienko was delaying the divorce alleging that he wanted to finalise it in September 2023 with a settlement deal, which she denied because he “skirted around” how much he earned in the early aughts of their marriage.</p> <p>The former couple married in 2011, before the actress filed for divorce last year in light of his infidelity. </p> <p><em>Images: SplashNews.com/ Shutterstock Editorial </em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

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"Force of nature": Tributes flow for Shannen Doherty

<p>Shannen Doherty has passed away aged 53. </p> <p>The beloved actress, known for her roles on <em>Little House on the Prairie</em>, <em>Charmed</em> and <em>90210</em>, died over the weekend following a nine-year battle with breast cancer. </p> <p>Doherty's death was confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, who said in a statement: "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease."</p> <p>"The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace."</p> <p>Tributes have flowed in for Doherty from friends, co-stars and loved ones, who have remembered her as a "force of nature". </p> <p>"Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion," fellow<em> Charmed </em>co-star Rose McGowan wrote in a tribute shared to Instagram. </p> <p>"Passion for craft is often mislabelled as trouble. Shannen was passion," McGowan continued.</p> <p>"I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live," McGowan added, before praising Doherty's work ethic which was "inspiring to the end".</p> <p>"Shannen's great love for directing, for acting, Holly [Marie Combs], her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary."</p> <p>"Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts," McGowan wrote. </p> <p>"Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9aLxGVvLH_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9aLxGVvLH_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fellow Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano - who Doherty had a complicated relationship with - also paid tribute to her via a statement shared with<em> People</em>. </p> <p>"It's no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of," Milano wrote.</p> <p>"She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her," she concluded.</p> <p>Meanwhile, actress Olivia Munn, who bonded with Doherty over their shared breast cancer battle, shared a lengthy tribute to her Instagram story. </p> <p>"I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her," Munn wrote.</p> <p>"We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn't comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10."</p> <p>"Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me.... True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stages of fighting this horrific disease," Munn continued.</p> <p>"Cancer is really f---ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace.</p> <p>"I'm sending all my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend 💔💔💔💔".</p> <p>Doherty's <em>Beverly Hills</em> and <em>90210 </em>co-star Jason Priestly described her as a  "force of nature" in an Instagram post. </p> <p>"I will miss her," he wrote.</p> <p>"Sending love and light to her family in this dark time."</p> <p>"Shocked and saddened by news of Shannen Doherty's death," Carol Potter, who played her on-screen mum in <em>90210</em>, wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>"What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace.❤️🙏"</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Erin Patterson enters plea for murder charges

<p>Erin Patterson will face trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to eight charges of murder and attempted murder. </p> <p>The 49-year-old is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66.</p> <p>All three <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-mushroom-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died </a>in hospital days after consuming an allegedly poisonous mushroom lunch at Patterson's home in South Gippsland July 29, 2023. </p> <p>She is also accused of the attempted murder of Heather Wilkinson’s husband Ian, and four separate attempts on her ex-husband’s life, with three occasions dating back to 2021.</p> <p>Patterson appeared <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday,</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> and pleaded not guilty to all eight of her charges, including three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Patterson told Magistrate Tim Walsh, "not guilty, Your Honour", as he read each of the charges. </span></p> <p>Her barrister, Colin Mandy SC, confirmed that she was going to use the “fast-track” method to have the case sent to the Supreme Court. </p> <p>The fast track method allows homicide cases to skip a committal hearing where a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if it could support a conviction.</p> <p>Walsh told Patterson hat under the fast track method, he did not have to judge the evidence and could commit her “solely on her election”.</p> <p>The decision also means that details of the prosecution case and her defence will not be aired publicly until after the trial. </p> <p>Patterson was arrested last November but has repeatedly denied the allegations. </p> <p>She was remanded in custody and will appear for a directions hearing at the Supreme Court on May 23. </p> <p><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

Legal

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The devastating way Shannen Doherty is preparing for death

<p>Shannen Doherty has shared the heart-breaking way she is preparing for her death. </p> <p>The former actress, who is battling stage 4 breast cancer, has candidly shared how she is cleaning out her home and downsizing her possessions to make for an “easier transition” for her mum, Rosa, when she dies.</p> <p>“My priority at the moment is my mum,” the actress said during an episode of her <em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-be-clear-with-shannen-doherty/id1718531401" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Let’s Be Clear</a></em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-be-clear-with-shannen-doherty/id1718531401" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> podcast</a>. “I know it’s going to be hard on her if I pass away before her.”</p> <p>She continued, “Because it’s going to be so hard on her, I want other things to be a lot easier. I don’t want her to have a bunch of stuff to deal with. I don’t want her to have four storage units filled with furniture.”</p> <p>The 52-year-old explained that over the years, she started going through her belongings to get rid of unnecessary clutter and donate things "just in case" anything happened to her. </p> <p>The actress most recently made a trip to her Tennessee home to pack up her belongings after she decided to let go of her dream of living on the property and fostering horses.</p> <p>“So we were in Tennessee and I was packing up one of the places there,” she continued. “It was really hard and really emotional because to a certain extent — I felt like I was giving up on this dream of building this property out, and putting a house for me and a house for my mum and then extending the barn.”</p> <p>“That was one of my dreams,” she said while tearing up.</p> <p>“I was packing up and I started crying … I felt like I was giving up on a dream and what did that mean for me? Did it mean that I was giving up on life? Did it mean that I was throwing in the towel?"</p> <p>“And my mom was there and she was like, ‘Don’t get rid of this place, it’s fine. You don’t have to and you can keep going.’ I said, ‘Yeah, absolutely I can.’”</p> <p>A week later, Doherty returned to the home to pack everything up and relocate her belongings to her home in California. </p> <p>The actress explained that letting go of the property and other possessions helps “leave behind a cleaner, easier transition” for her family.</p> <p>Through the process, Doherty has learned her belongings don’t bring her as much joy as making memories with her mum and loved ones.</p> <p>“It allows me to take more trips because I’m making money, I’m selling it,” she continued. “Then I get to build different memories and I build memories with the people that I love.</p> <p>“I get to take my mum on vacations because I have all this extra play money lying around and I’m not digging into the money that’s in my estate that’s going to make sure that everybody in my life is taken care of once I’m dead.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images </em></p>

Caring

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Accused mushroom killer moved to protected unit over safety fears

<p>Erin Patterson, accused of poisoning three elderly individuals and attempting to murder several others, finds herself secluded within the confines of a protected unit in a Victorian prison. The move, reportedly necessitated by safety concerns, places Patterson away from the general prison population, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against her.</p> <p>According to sources cited by <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-ccok/accused-mushroom-murderer-in-jail-unit-with-pedophile-rapist/news-story/824c4f35c9d9b8f7553af2704836ea82" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Herald Sun</a>, Patterson now resides in the protected wing of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a correctional facility in Victoria. The decision to relocate her stems from fears that she may face harm from fellow inmates due to the nature of her alleged crimes.</p> <p>The <em>Herald's</em> insider disclosed, "If Erin got out of protection, the girls would hurt her."</p> <p>Allegations of her involvement in the deaths of three elderly individuals have evidently rendered her a target among fellow inmates, necessitating stringent security measures.</p> <p>“She allegedly killed three elderly people," the source continued. “There’s a rule, you don’t touch the elderly and you don’t touch babies so because of that, you go into protection."</p> <p>Patterson stands accused of several crimes, including the murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, alongside Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Their deaths, following the consumption of a meal containing deadly mushrooms at Patterson's residence in Leongatha, shook the community.</p> <p>Furthermore, Patterson faces charges of attempted murder, notably targeting her ex-husband Simon and Heather Wilkinson's husband Ian, with the alleged attempts spanning over various dates.</p> <p>As Patterson awaits her court appearance scheduled for May, the case continues to captivate public attention. In the coming months, the court will delve deeper into the intricacies of the case, striving to uncover the truth behind the allegations.</p> <p><em>Image: News.com.au</em></p>

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AFP reveal what police dogs found in Erin Patterson's home

<p>The Police Commissioner has revealed what detective dogs found during an extensive search of Erin Patterson's house after her arrest. </p> <p>Patterson, the Gippsland woman at the centre of a mushroom lunch that resulted in the deaths of three people, was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder late last year. </p> <p>AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw has shared that detective dogs uncovered a series of suspicious items, which were not found during the initial search of Patterson's home. </p> <p>"In November last year, the AFP provided its technology detector dogs to assist our hard-working colleagues at Victoria Police while executing a search warrant relating to individuals who had ingested death cap mushrooms," Kershaw told a Senate estimates hearing.</p> <p>"Technology Detector Dog Georgia found one USB, a micro secure digital card and a sim card."</p> <p>"Technology Detector Dog Alma found a mobile phone, five iPads, a trail camera, and a secure digital card and a smart watch."</p> <p>"These were not found during initial searches undertaken by officers."</p> <p>Patterson remains behind bars while police sift through the newly uncovered evidence, as she is expected to front court again on March 25th. </p> <p>The three murder charges and two of the attempted murder charges relate to a beef wellington lunch allegedly laced with death cap mushrooms that was cooked and served by Patterson at her home on July 29th 2023. </p> <p>The three other attempted murder charges relate to her husband Simon, 48, after he became sick following meals on three occasions between 2021 and 2022.</p> <p>Court documents revealed Patterson is accused of attempting to kill Simon on four occasions - between 16th and 17th November 2021, between 25th and 27th May 2022, on 6th September 2022 and at the mushroom lunch in July 2023. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News / A Current Affair</em></p>

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Shannen Doherty shares "miracle" amid stage four cancer battle

<p>Shannen Doherty has shared a promising update as she continues to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/my-fear-is-obvious-shannen-doherty-s-tearful-health-update" target="_blank" rel="noopener">battle stage four breast cancer</a>. </p> <p>The <em>90210</em> star shared the positive update during the latest episode of her <em>Let’s Be Clear</em> podcast, after months of heartbreaking updates and her <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/betrayed-shannen-doherty-opens-up-on-tough-divorce-amid-cancer-battle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tough divorce</a> from her husband of 14 years, Kurt Iswarienk.</p> <p>“I’m on a new cancer infusion and after four treatments, we didn’t really see a difference and everybody wanted me to switch,” she said during a conversation with her doctor. </p> <p>“I just kinda was like, ‘we’re going to keep going with this and see.’”</p> <p>After multiple rounds of treatment, she began to see an unexpected positive development. </p> <p>“After the sixth or seventh treatment, we really saw it breaking down the blood-brain barrier," she said.</p> <p>"Do I call that a miracle? Yeah. For me, that happens to be a miracle right now. That I sort of rolled the dice and said, ‘let’s keep going.’”</p> <p>“That it’s actually breaking down that blood-brain barrier is actually a miracle of that drug, a miracle of maybe God intervening and being like, ‘I’m gonna give her a break,’” she added. </p> <p> “Sometimes you’re looking for miracles in all the wrong places and they’re right in front of your face.”</p> <p>The star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and has been open about her ongoing battle, from her 2017 remission to her 2020 stage 4 diagnosis, which caused the cancer to spread to spread to her bones and brain. </p> <p>In January 2023 the former <em>Charmed</em> star underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"Betrayed": Shannen Doherty opens up on tough divorce amid cancer battle

<p>Shannen Doherty revealed it all on the debut episode of her new podcast <em>Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty</em>. </p> <p>The actress opened up on her tough split from her husband of 14 years, Kurt Iswarienko, after she found out he had been having an affair for two years, while she was battling brain cancer.</p> <p>She recalled the moment she found out, right before her surgery to remove the tumour in January. </p> <p>“I went into that surgery early in the morning and I went in after I found out that my marriage was essentially over, that my husband had been carrying on an affair for two years,” she said. </p> <p>“To not go in that surgery, even though, being very clear, he wanted to go, I couldn’t go into that surgery with him there. I felt so betrayed.”</p> <p>“At the end of the day, I just felt so incredibly unloved by someone I was with for 14 years, by someone I loved with all my heart,” Doherty continued, adding that she had her family and friends by her side. </p> <p>Though the<em> Charmed </em>actress is currently focusing on her health and the future, she did admit that the entire experience has been overwhelming. </p> <p>“Just to have to go through all of that while trying to figure out if you’re going to get a frickin’ divorce and trying to get to the truth of that,” she said. </p> <p>She added that she was "obsessed" with finding out the truth of the affair, “through conversations, expecting someone to be honest with me.”</p> <p>“If you share 14 years together and you cheated, doesn’t that person deserve the absolute truth regardless of how much that hurts them? If they’re the ones asking for it, if they’re the ones saying, ‘Listen, I get it, I may cry, I may get angry, and this may really suck to hear, but I need to hear it because I need closure and this is how I get my closure.’ So I had a lot of months of trying to figure out what I was going to do,” she explained.</p> <p>She added that the reason why she was trying so hard to make sense of the situation was because she herself does not condone cheating, “If you cheat on me, you’re out," she said. </p> <p>“Then when someone you really, really love, someone that you regard as your absolute best friend in the world, when you’re lied to and you discover they cheated on you, or they finally tell you they’re cheating on you because they’re riddled by guilt or whatever, I didn’t walk away. I couldn’t. I was so confused.”</p> <p>She added that the confusion was also a side effect from her surgery as she was undertaking a bunch of medication and steroids to prevent her brain from swelling. </p> <p>Doherty and Iswarienko tied the knot in 2011 and filed for divorce earlier this year in April. </p> <p>The actress revealed that she struggled with her decision to file for divorce, and did talk to “girlfriend of two years that he cheated on me with.” </p> <p>“And honestly, it’s still really hard. Yes, I made the decision to file for divorce, but I have a lot of memories with this person,” she said. </p> <p>She added that although she takes responsibility for some of the issues in their marriage, she does not take responsibility for the "demise" of it. </p> <p>“I take responsibility not only because of how I was but because of how cancer impacted my marriage and how it impacted him the second time around," she said. </p> <p>"I do not take responsibility for the demise of our marriage because I am not a quitter. If somebody is still showing me loyalty and respect and love, I’m going to hang in there. I’m going to try my hardest," she added. </p> <p>Despite three failed marriages, the actress said that she still believes in love. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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Text messages reveal accused mushroom killer’s “horrible upbringing”

<p>Texts that alleged triple murderer Erin Patterson sent to a friend have emerged revealing her "horrible upbringing".</p> <p>The texts were sent shortly after the death of Patterson's mum Heather Scutter in 2019, where she described her mother as "cold" and "weird". </p> <p>“My mum was ultra weird her whole life,” she wrote.</p> <p>“We had a horrible upbringing. Mum was essentially a cold robot. It was like being brought up in a Russian orphanage where they don’t touch babies.</p> <p>"That's what my psych reckons. She said she wishes she could have studied my mum lol."</p> <p>The messages, obtained by the <em>Herald Sun, </em>also revealed Patterson's lack of connection with her late father Eitan Scutter, who she called "a doormat." </p> <p>“Dad wanted to be warm and loving to us but mum wouldn’t let him because it would spoil us so he did as he was told,” she said. </p> <p>“She would shout at him if he did the wrong thing so he became very meek and compliant.</p> <p>“My sister and I would hide in our room most of the time so we couldn’t do anything wrong.”</p> <p>These texts have emerged after a former colleague of Patterson described her as “eccentric” and “abrasive”, during her time as an air traffic controller in the early 2000s. </p> <p>The former colleague also told the <em>Herald Sun </em>that Patterson was highly intelligent and capable as she was able to graduate from the challenging training course and work independently in the field. </p> <p>“She was rated in the field and was actually responsible for running airspace for a while,” the former colleague told the publication. </p> <p>“She’s very bright and much brighter than people might think. She managed to get guys wrapped around her little finger although she was very unkempt … and she was abrasive.”</p> <p>A spokesperson from Airservices Australia had also confirmed that Patterson was employed as an air traffic controller from 12 February 2001 until 28 November 2002. </p> <p>Patterson has been <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-charged-with-eight-counts-of-murder-and-attempted-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> with three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, after being accused of serving up a beef Wellington pie that contained death cap mushrooms which resulted in the tragic deaths of Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Don Patterson. </p> <p>The attempted murder charges relate to her estranged husband Simon Patterson, and Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson who miraculously survived but was hospitalised in critical conditions for nearly two months. </p> <p>Patterson's two children were also in attendance, but did not consume the same meal.</p> <p>Ian has since been released and attended his wife's memorial in October. </p> <p><em>Image: News.com.au </em><em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">/ A Current Affair</em></p>

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Accused mushroom killer puts home up for sale

<p>Erin Patterson, the woman charged with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-charged-with-eight-counts-of-murder-and-attempted-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eight counts of murder and attempted murder</a>, after allegedly lacing meals with death cap mushrooms, has put her Melbourne property up for sale. </p> <p>In a case that has gripped the nation, Patterson is facing these charges following the tragic incident that occurred on July 29, as well as historic incidents involving her former husband.</p> <p>The major incident involved a mushroom lunch hosted in Patterson's home in Leongatha, where her former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, died shortly after allegedly consuming a beef wellington.</p> <p>Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson, who also had the meal, miraculously survived, but was hospitalised in critical condition for nearly two months before being released in September. </p> <p>Patterson is also charged with four counts of attempted murder of her former partner, Simon Patterson, in separate incidences between between November 2021 and September 2022 and on the day of the lunch. </p> <p>She has consistently denied any wrongdoing. </p> <p>Now, her $1 million townhouse in Melbourne's east at the suburb of Mount Waverley has hit the market. </p> <p>She first bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property in 2019, and has infrequently visited it. </p> <p>It is not the house where the fatal mushroom incident took place. </p> <p>The 249-square-metre townhouse, will go to auction at 11am on Saturday and is expected to sell for around $960,000 to $1,050,000. </p> <p>Real estate agency Ray White has pitched the home to downsizers and families that want to send their children to a good school. </p> <p>“Desired for its defined dimensions and convenient placement in the Mount Waverley Secondary Catchment (STSA), this easy-care townhouse is equally suited to those starting out or downsizing as it is for families and investors,’’ the agents said.</p> <p>They also provided a description of the townhouse, which read: “Quietly tucked at the rear of only two, the residence takes great care in providing a comfortable lifestyle with the lounge room enriched with large windows, while the dining zone is accompanied by a well-equipped kitchen complete with a Bosch dishwasher.”</p> <p><em>Images: Realestate.com.au / A Current Affair</em></p>

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Erin Patterson charged with EIGHT counts of murder and attempted murder

<p>Erin Patterson has been arrested and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder following the tragic death cap mushroom incident that occurred on July 29.</p> <p>The incident in question involved a mushroom lunch that resulted in the death of three people and severe illness in several others. Patterson's arrest and the subsequent investigation have brought this harrowing case to the forefront of public attention.</p> <p>On Thursday, just after 8am, 49-year-old <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-mushroom-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Patterson was taken into custody</a> by homicide squad detectives and brought to the Wonthaggi police station for questioning. Her Leongatha home was searched extensively with the assistance of Australian Federal Police technology detector dogs, specifically trained to identify items like electronic devices, sim cards and USB drives. As the investigation progressed, the grim reality of the situation emerged.</p> <p>Following that interview, Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder, and she was remanded in custody to appear at Morwell Magistrates’ Court the following morning.</p> <p>The murder charges and two of the attempted murder charges are linked to the mushroom lunch incident that took place on July 29. Three victims, Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Don Patterson, lost their lives after allegedly consuming a beef wellington at Erin Patterson's residence. Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson, miraculously survived but was hospitalised in critical condition for nearly two months. He was released in September, appearing at his wife's memorial last month.</p> <p>Patterson's two children were also present during the ill-fated lunch but did not partake in the same meal. The three additional attempted murder charges pertain to separate alleged incidents occurring between 2021 and 2022. According to Victoria Police, a 48-year-old Korumburra man fell ill after consuming meals on these dates. It has been revealed that these charges are related to Patterson's ex-husband, Simon Patterson.</p> <p>The investigation at Patterson's residence on Thursday was a significant event, as police and their canine units combed through the property. They scrutinised a garage, shed, green bin and car while the trained dogs inspected the premises. Authorities suspect that the symptoms experienced by the diners were consistent with poisoning by death cap mushrooms, a highly toxic variety.</p> <p>Homicide detectives had previously identified Patterson as a suspect in the case. In her statement to the police, Patterson claimed that she had prepared a beef wellington using button mushrooms from a major supermarket and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store. She even stated that she had consumed a portion of the meal and later suffered from severe stomach pains and diarrhoea. This statement contrasts with the detectives' suggestion that she did not experience any ill effects. Throughout the investigation, Patterson has consistently denied any wrongdoing.</p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

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Erin Patterson arrested over fatal mushroom meal

<p>Erin Patterson has been arrested at her home in Victoria over her potential involvement in the suspicious deaths of three people. </p> <p>In July, Gail and Don Patterson, the parents of Erin Patterson's ex-husband, and Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson, died from mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch hosted by the 49-year-old woman. </p> <p>Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson also attended the lunch and was critically ill, but recovered.</p> <p>All four had shared a meal, understood to be a beef Wellington, allegedly cooked by Patterson.</p> <p>Patterson was arrested early on Thursday morning, with AFP conducting a search of her home shortly after her arrest with technology detector dogs in tow. </p> <p>Veteran crime journalist John Silvester, of <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/mushroom-cook-erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-lunch-20231102-p5egxu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Age</em></a> newspaper, told <em>Today Extra</em> on Thursday that the dogs were a sophisticated police tool that can detect electronic devices.</p> <p>"These dogs are absolutely amazing and they can sniff out and have sniffed out a SIM card that was hidden in a bowl of garlic," he said.</p> <p>"They are there for a purpose. This is not speculation. They will be there looking for something like a mobile phone, a SIM card, or a memory disk."</p> <p>Police said Patterson will now be interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing, as no charges have officially been laid. </p> <p>Erin Patterson has always maintained she did not intentionally poison her guests, <span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">telling reporters at the time of their deaths that she was "devastated" by the loss of her relatives.</span></p> <p class="paragraph_paragraph___QITb" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"I didn't do anything, I loved them," she said.</p> <p class="paragraph_paragraph___QITb" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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"Immense relief": Death cap mushroom survivor released from hospital

<p>Ian Wilkinson, the survivor of a suspected mushroom poisoning incident, has been discharged from Melbourne's Austin Hospital after spending two months in critical condition following a family gathering.</p> <p>Wilkinson, a Baptist pastor residing in the quaint South Gippsland town of Korrumburra, was among four individuals who fell seriously ill after consuming a beef Wellington dish suspected to have been contaminated with death cap mushrooms.</p> <p>Tragically, Wilkinson's wife, Heather, lost her life in the aftermath, as did Heather's sister, Gail Patterson, and her husband, Don.</p> <p>Ian managed to pull through, and his release from the hospital marked a significant milestone in his recovery. The Wilkinson family expressed their profound gratitude towards the hospital staff for their relentless dedication and exceptional care during this challenging period.</p> <p>"We are pleased to announce that Ian Wilkinson has made significant progress in his recovery and was released from Austin Hospital on Friday," the family said in a statement. "This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family.</p> <p>"The Wilkinson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their unwavering dedication and exceptional care that played a pivotal role in Ian's recovery.</p> <p>"The medical team's expertise and compassion have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey.</p> <p>"Additionally, the family is profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and well-wishes from the Korumburra community, church, friends, family, and colleagues.</p> <p>"This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community.</p> <p>"As Ian continues his journey towards full recovery, the Wilkinson family kindly requests that their privacy be respected."</p> <p>Meanwhile, the woman responsible for preparing the ill-fated meal, Erin Patterson, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/details-of-erin-patterson-s-police-statement-around-fatal-mushroom-meal-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remains a suspect</a> as police homicide detectives continue their investigation into the three tragic deaths. She vehemently denies any wrongdoing.</p> <p><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

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Past charges against mushroom poisoning suspect uncovered

<p>Erin Patterson, the woman under investigation for allegedly cooking the deadly mushroom meal that claimed the lives of three people, has previously faced a series of charges after being involved in a drunk-driving incident.</p> <p>According to reports from The Australian, the 49-year-old was convicted in 2004 of driving drunk in an unregistered vehicle. </p> <p>Court records have revealed that Patterson, who was then known as Erin Trudi Scutter and was aged 29, faced legal consequences for her reckless actions, losing her license for 30 months after crashing her vehicle in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne while heavily intoxicated.</p> <p>The reports revealed that after the crash, she fled from authorities by speeding away from the crash scene, reaching 95 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.</p> <p>The convictions that were handed down were for charges of failing to stop a vehicle after an accident, failing to provide identifying information after causing property damage, using an unregistered vehicle on a highway, failing to provide information after property damage, and driving at 95 km/h in a restricted 60 km/h zone.</p> <p>At the time of the crash, Erin's blood alcohol level was 0.14 per cent, indicating significant impairment, however the charges of drink driving were dropped, potentially due to overlapping elements in other charges.</p> <p>Patterson has yet to comment on the previous charges, after being advised by her lawyer not to make any public comments as she remains under investigation for the deadly mushroom meal. </p> <p>She has <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/details-of-erin-patterson-s-police-statement-around-fatal-mushroom-meal-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denied any wrongdoing</a> in the mushroom incident, although according to police, they are investigating Patterson because she was the only adult among five who did not either die or suffer severe illness after ingesting the deadly mushrooms.</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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Details of Erin Patterson's police statement around fatal mushroom meal revealed

<p>The woman who prepared a mushroom meal that is believed to have caused the deaths of three individuals has finally disclosed her full account of the events that transpired.</p> <p>According to a written statement submitted to Victoria Police on Friday August 11 – and exclusively <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-14/mushroom-poisoning-leongatha-erin-patterson-police-statement/102725876" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obtained by the ABC</a> – Erin Patterson has provided a comprehensive narrative of the incidents leading up to and following the fatal meal.</p> <p>"I am now wanting to clear up the record because I have become extremely stressed and overwhelmed by the deaths of my loved ones," Ms Patterson said in her statement. "I am hoping this statement might help in some way. I believe if people understood the background more, they would not be so quick to rush to judgement. I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones. I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved."</p> <p>The tragic incident occurred in Leongatha, a town southeast of Melbourne, where Ms. Patterson's mother and father-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, lost their lives after consuming lunch at Ms. Patterson's residence on July 29. Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, was left in critical condition.</p> <p>The circumstances surrounding the incident have led to speculation within the South Gippsland community, with heightened curiosity as police have been tight-lipped about their ongoing investigation.</p> <p>Authorities have mentioned that the victims displayed symptoms consistent with the consumption of death cap mushrooms. Although Ms. Patterson was initially treated as a suspect, investigators have maintained an open-minded approach to the case.</p> <p>In her statement, Ms. Patterson expressed regret for following the advice to give a "no comment" interview to the police in the immediate aftermath of the deaths. She admitted that she now wishes she had answered some questions, given the nightmare that has unfolded since.</p> <p>The police interview left Ms. Patterson feeling terrified and anxious. She recounted that on the day of the incident, she prepared a beef wellington meal for herself and her elderly guests. Contrary to earlier reports, Ms. Patterson clarified that her children had actually gone to the movies before lunch and were not present during the meal.</p> <p>According to her statement, she served the meal and allowed her guests to select their own plates. She then had a serving of beef wellington herself. The mushrooms used in the dish were a mixture of button mushrooms from a major supermarket chain and dried mushrooms purchased months earlier from an Asian grocery store in Melbourne.</p> <p>Ms. Patterson disclosed that her children consumed the leftovers the next evening. Notably, they do not like mushrooms, so she had removed the mushrooms from their portions.</p> <p>She revealed that she had also suffered from severe stomach pains and diarrhoea after the lunch, leading her to be hospitalised as well. She was administered a liver protective drug via a saline drip and was transferred to Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne.</p> <p>As her guests fell ill, the Department of Health contacted Ms. Patterson to inquire about the possible cause of the adverse reactions. She provided samples of the leftover meal for examination by hospital toxicologists. She also mentioned sharing information about where she purchased the mushrooms but was unable to pinpoint the specific shop in Melbourne.</p> <p>Addressing media reports about the seizure of a food dehydrator at a local tip, Ms. Patterson admitted that she had initially lied to investigators about disposing of the dehydrator. She stated that she panicked due to concerns about her children's custody and discarded it.</p> <p>In her statement, she acknowledged caring for her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, after he suffered a severe stomach illness unrelated to the current incident. She reluctantly nursed him after his hospital discharge and informed him that she did not wish to reconcile. She clarified that Simon had initially intended to attend the fatal lunch but had informed her of his absence prior to the event.</p> <p>Ms. Patterson expressed deep affection and respect for her parents-in-law and highlighted their positive influence on her children. She offered her willingness to assist the police further, including the possibility of a re-interview.</p> <p>The police investigation into the deaths remains ongoing, and Ms. Patterson has indicated her readiness to cooperate.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / A Current Affair</em></p>

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