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"I know what you've done": Doctor who first treated Erin Patterson speaks out

<p>The doctor who first treated triple-murderer Erin Patterson after she arrived at hospital suffering symptoms from her own poisonous mushroom meal says he knew she was guilty from the beginning.</p> <p>Dr Chris Webster was the first medical professional to speak with Patterson when she presented to Leongatha Hospital around 8am on July 31, 2023 – the day after the fatal beef Wellington lunch that killed three members of her extended family and left a fourth critically ill.</p> <p>Patterson stayed just five minutes before self-discharging against medical advice, prompting Dr Webster to call emergency services. That triple zero call – along with dozens of other exhibits – has now been publicly released.</p> <p>“This is Dr Chris Webster calling from Leongatha Hospital. I have a concern regarding a patient that presented here earlier but has left the building and is potentially exposed to a fatal toxin from mushroom poisoning,” Webster told the operator. “I've tried several times to get hold of her on her mobile phone.”</p> <p>Dr Webster explained that Patterson left the hospital before a nurse could begin observations. “I had a brief chat with her about where the mushrooms were obtained and after that, while I was attending to the other patients, the nurse informed me she had discharged herself against medical advice,” he told the operator.</p> <p>Speaking out for the first time, Dr Webster said something about Patterson's arrival set off alarm bells. “My heart skipped a beat,” he said. “I bypassed all of the usual triage protocols and just brought her straight in and sat her down and just looked her straight in the eye directly and said ‘the people at Dandenong suspect death cap mushroom poisoning, where did you get the mushrooms?’</p> <p>“That’s when she said ‘Woolworths’. She was fairly impassive, wasn’t loud or hysterical, wasn’t crying. She just answered the question in a pretty matter-of-fact way.</p> <p>“After that I was like: 'OK, I don’t want to talk to you anymore, I know what you’ve done'.”</p> <p>At the time, Ian and Heather Wilkinson were also in hospital, gravely ill. But Patterson, he said, showed no sign of concern.</p> <p>“She wasn’t shaking, Erin was sat in a chair, I don’t even remember her looking at Ian and Heather,” he said. “She’s evil. She wanted people out of her life and rather than using normal channels she snuffed out their lives and attempted to snuff out another.”</p> <p>Dr Webster’s call to emergency services was the first step in a chain of events that would ultimately lead to Patterson’s arrest, trial, and conviction for three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.</p> <p>“When she didn’t respond in a way that would instantly explain it was a tragic accident, from that moment in my mind she was guilty. She was evil, and she was very smart to carry it all out but she didn’t cross the Ts and dot the Is,” he said.</p> <p>Recalling the moment he saw Patterson again, this time in the courtroom, Webster said the atmosphere was unmistakable.</p> <p>“When I looked at her, when I found the opportunity to sneak a peek, it was visceral, I felt the intensity, the hostility, the negativity, it was an intense gaze,” he said.</p> <p>“She’s evil and she had a problem, she had a dilemma, and the solution that she chose is sociopathic.</p> <p>“If you don’t like your in-laws there are other things you can do besides snuffing out a family.”</p> <p><em>Images: Victoria Supreme Court / Nine News</em></p>

Legal

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Sole survivor of deadly mushroom meal breaks silence after verdict

<p>The lone survivor of the deadly beef Wellington lunch that shocked the nation has broken his silence, sharing a message of faith and strength as his community continues to grieve.</p> <p>Ian Wilkinson, a Baptist pastor and the only survivor of a meal that killed three members of his extended family, posted a heartfelt message outside Korumburra Baptist Church on Tuesday: “Life can be hard, but God is faithful”.</p> <p>The quiet but powerful statement came just one day after Erin Patterson, 50, was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/guilty-erin-patterson-spends-first-night-behind-bars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found guilty</a> of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors said she deliberately served her guests a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms at her home on July 29, 2023.</p> <p>The lunch claimed the lives of Don and Gail Patterson – parents of Erin’s estranged husband Simon – and Mr Wilkinson’s wife, Heather. All three died in hospital in the days following the meal.</p> <p>Throughout the high-profile 46-day trial in Morwell, Patterson maintained her innocence, pleading not guilty and claiming she had not intentionally poisoned her guests. But jurors <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/chilling-images-and-cctv-released-after-erin-patterson-guilty-verdict" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unanimously convicted her</a> after hearing harrowing details of the victims’ final days and the toxicology evidence linking the mushrooms to their deaths.</p> <p>In a message attributed to the leadership team at Korumburra Baptist Church, where Mr Wilkinson has been pastor for more than two decades, the congregation asked for privacy as they continue to support both the Wilkinson and Patterson families.</p> <p>“We all greatly miss Heather, Don and Gail, whether we were friends for a short time or over 20 years. They were very special people who loved God and lived to bless others,” the statement read.</p> <p>“It’s been a long journey, and we continue to lovingly support Ian, Simon and all the Wilkinson and Patterson family members through this difficult time.”</p> <p>The church also thanked the community and wider Baptist network for their ongoing support and prayers, reaffirming Pastor Ian’s words: “Life can be hard, but God is faithful, and He is always with us.”</p> <p>Outside the homes of both Simon Patterson and Ian Wilkinson, signs were posted warning members of the media to stay away, with notices explicitly stating that entry by journalists was not permitted and that trespassers would be reported to police.</p> <p>Just a short drive away at Korumburra Cemetery, where Don, Gail and Heather are buried, a handful of mourners paid quiet respects. A modest bouquet of flowers marked Don and Gail’s grave, a poignant reminder of a tragedy that left two small towns in mourning.</p> <p>Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, speaking shortly after the verdict, also urged media and the public to respect the families’ grief.</p> <p>“It’s very important that we remember we’ve had three people die and one person who nearly died and was seriously injured as a result. That has led to these charges,” he said.</p> <p>“I ask that we acknowledge those people and not forget them. I also ask that the Patterson and Wilkinson families be given privacy during this time.”</p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Caring

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Chilling images and CCTV released after Erin Patterson guilty verdict

<p>The haunting final images of the deadly mushroom lunch that shocked Australia – and much of the world – have now been made public, hours after Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering three of her in-laws and attempting to kill a fourth.</p> <p>Patterson, 50, was found guilty by a unanimous jury in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday afternoon, following a 10-week trial and a week of deliberations. She now faces a possible life sentence for the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, as well as the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.</p> <p>Shortly after the verdicts were read – each one met with silence from the packed courtroom – the court released a trove of exhibits previously seen only by jurors. Among them: photographs of the individual beef Wellingtons served at the now-infamous lunch in Leongatha, each laced with deadly death cap mushrooms; hospital-bed images of Patterson after she presented with diarrhoea; and damning CCTV footage of her dumping a food dehydrator at a waste station just hours after being discharged.</p> <p>The dehydrator, prosecutors argued, had been used to dry the toxic mushrooms, key evidence Patterson sought to dispose of before investigators could find it.</p> <p>Jurors were also shown a series of photographs Patterson had taken herself, showing mushrooms drying inside the appliance. While Patterson claimed the fatal lunch was a tragic accident, and that she had eaten the same meal but vomited afterward, the prosecution said the disposal of the dehydrator – and her lies to police, doctors and health authorities – pointed to premeditation.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/07/PattersonPics1-Supreme-Court-of-Victoria.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="822" /></p> <p><em>Leftovers of the fatal Beef Wellington were found in Patterson's bin and sent to scientists for testing.</em></p> <p>The sole survivor of the July 29, 2023, lunch, Ian Wilkinson, testified that Patterson had served her guests the beef Wellington parcels on different plates to her own. Prosecutors used this, along with inconsistencies in Patterson’s stories, to argue the poisonings were deliberate.</p> <p>One of the most striking pieces of footage shown to the jury – and now released publicly – was grainy CCTV from the Koonwarra Transfer Station. In it, Patterson is seen driving in alone and unloading a bag that investigators say contained the dehydrator. The footage captured a crucial moment in the Crown’s case: a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence just hours after she had been released from Monash Hospital.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/07/PattersonPics2-Supreme-Court-of-Victoria.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="947" /></p> <p><em>Erin Patterson inside Leongatha Hospital being treated for what she said was diarrhoea, caused by eating the Beef Wellingtons.</em></p> <p>Patterson, who wore a paisley blouse and sat expressionless as the jury’s foreperson read out four guilty verdicts, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. During her eight days on the witness stand, she admitted she may have included foraged mushrooms in the meal, despite initially lying to police and saying they were store-bought.</p> <p>“They tasted good and I didn’t get sick,” she told the jury, describing her past experiences preparing wild mushrooms.</p> <p>The case captivated the nation and drew international headlines, with true crime podcasts and media outlets following every twist. Yet the most confronting details remained sealed, until now.</p> <p>The newly released visuals offer a chilling glimpse into the deadly domestic meal that would end three lives and forever alter another. They also reveal the quiet, methodical actions Patterson took in the hours and days that followed—images that played a pivotal role in the jury’s decision.</p> <p>The families of the victims, who had attended every day of the trial, were not in court for the verdict. A close friend of Patterson’s, Ali Rose Prior, told reporters outside the court she was “saddened” by the outcome.</p> <p>"I didn’t have any expectations. It’s the justice system and it has to be what it is," she said, confirming she planned to visit Patterson in prison.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/07/PattersonPics3-Supreme-Court-of-Victoria.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><em>Mushrooms dehydrating on scales in Patterson's home, and the dehydrator Patterson dumped at the tip.</em></p> <p>Justice Christopher Beale praised the jury for their conduct and excused them from future jury duty for 15 years. A pre-sentence hearing is expected later this year.</p> <p>In a statement, Victoria Police extended their support to the families of the victims and acknowledged the exhaustive work of homicide detectives throughout what they described as a “complex investigation”.</p> <p>The images now released will likely remain etched in the public consciousness as symbols of one of Australia’s most shocking domestic crimes – a seemingly ordinary lunch, documented in photos and CCTV, that turned fatal.</p> <p><em>Images: Supreme Court of Victoria</em></p>

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"Guilty": Erin Patterson spends first night behind bars

<p>After spending her first night in prison as a convicted triple murderer, Victorian woman Erin Patterson is now likely to spend the rest of her life behind bars.</p> <p>The 50-year-old mother of two was found guilty on Monday of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, following the now-infamous mushroom lunch that shocked Australia and made international headlines.</p> <p>In July 2023, Patterson hosted a family lunch at her Leongatha home, serving beef Wellington parcels later found to be laced with deadly death cap mushrooms. Days later, her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and their sister-in-law Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived but spent weeks critically ill in intensive care.</p> <p>As Patterson was transported from the Morwell court precinct to a Melbourne prison on Monday evening, someone in the crowd shouted “murderer” – a public outburst reflecting the emotional weight of a case that has gripped the country.</p> <p>The verdict came after an 11-week trial and a full week of jury deliberations. It was based largely on circumstantial evidence, including Patterson’s own testimony over eight days, forensic findings, and suspicious online activity uncovered by investigators.</p> <p>Dr Brianna Chesser, a forensic psychologist and criminal law expert from RMIT University, said the conviction was not surprising.</p> <p>“Whenever you have any lies in a trial it is quite a difficult thing to overcome from a defence perspective,” she said. “What came out regarding the mushrooms was almost insurmountable.”</p> <p>Among the most damning evidence was a police search of Patterson’s home, which uncovered beef Wellington scraps in a bin later confirmed to contain toxic death cap mushrooms. Prosecutors also pointed to online searches on a phone linked to Patterson, allegedly showing she had researched the lethal fungi. That device, described as her primary phone in 2023, was never recovered.</p> <p>The Supreme Court has since released several pieces of evidence presented during the trial, including toxicology photos, images of Patterson’s hospital visit, and a video showing her discharging herself from Leongatha Hospital within minutes of arrival, a visit that followed her own brief illness after the meal.</p> <p>Dr Chesser noted the highly unusual nature of the case, not only because of the method used, but because the accused was a woman. “The story captivated the world,” she said. “The vast majority of homicides are committed by men.”</p> <p>Patterson will return to court for a pre-sentence hearing later in 2025. She faces a mandatory life sentence for the three murders, though her mental health and lack of prior offences could be considered in sentencing.</p> <p>“It’s going to be quite a large sentence,” Dr Chesser said. “We’ve heard during cross-examination that there are some mental health concerns. That may well act as a mitigating factor.”</p> <p>As for a possible appeal, options would be limited to major legal errors or the emergence of new evidence, scenarios considered unlikely at this stage.</p> <p>For now, Patterson remains behind bars, the centre of one of Australia’s most chilling and tragic domestic crime cases in recent memory.</p> <p><em>Images: Sunrise</em></p>

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Multiple charges dropped as fatal mushroom lunch trial begins

<p>Erin Patterson, the woman at the centre of Australia’s high-profile “mushroom lunch” case, has had three attempted murder charges dropped as her trial begins in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court.</p> <p>The 50-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges related to the deaths of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. The three died in hospital days after allegedly eating a beef wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms at a family lunch hosted by Patterson in Leongatha on July 29, 2023.</p> <p>Patterson is also facing an attempted murder charge over the alleged poisoning of Heather Wilkinson’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, 68, who survived the lunch.</p> <p>On Tuesday, trial judge Justice Christopher Beale informed the jury that three separate attempted murder charges linked to Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had been withdrawn. He instructed jurors to disregard those charges entirely.</p> <p>“You may be aware from previous coverage that the accused was charged in relation to her ex-husband,” Justice Beale said. “Those charges have been dropped, and you must put them out of your mind.”</p> <p>Patterson, dressed in a pink and white striped long-sleeved shirt, sat quietly in the dock as the jury of 15 was empanelled. Jurors were briefed on courtroom procedures, including the selection of a foreperson, COVID-19 precautions, and the roles of parties involved in the trial.</p> <p>Patterson first entered pleas of not guilty to the murder and attempted murder charges in May 2024. The trial, expected to draw significant public attention, will continue on Wednesday with further evidence and testimony.</p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

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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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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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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>

Legal

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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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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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New details emerge in fatal mushroom poisoning incident

<p>The former spouse of the Victorian woman responsible for preparing a meal for three individuals who tragically passed away, was placed in a medically induced coma last year following an unexpected severe digestive ailment.</p> <p>The revelation surfaces as <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/forensic-tests-on-food-dehydrator-found-at-tip-after-mushroom-deaths-20230808-p5dusv.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Age Newspaper reports</a> that law enforcement have carried out forensic testing on a dehydrator found at a waste disposal site near Erin Patterson's home in Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Investigators are now exploring whether this apparatus was utilised to preserve the mushrooms before being discarded.</span></p> <p>The Age has additionally gained access to Erin's ex-husband Simon's social media posts, in which he recounts a mysterious severe gastrointestinal illness that nearly claimed his life.</p> <p>"I collapsed at home and subsequently spent 16 days in an induced coma, undergoing three emergency surgeries mainly targeting my small intestine, along with another planned surgical procedure," he wrote. "My family was summoned twice to bid me farewell as my chances of survival were minimal."</p> <p>Within the same social media post, he extended gratitude to Ms. Patterson for her support. Despite their separation, the two maintain an amicable relationship.</p> <p>Patterson, aged 48, cooked the fateful lunch which law enforcement suspect might have contained death cap mushrooms.</p> <p>The mother of two is now under police scrutiny after the demise of her ex-husband Simon Patterson's parents, Gail and Don Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson.</p> <p>Heather's husband, Ian, is currently in critical condition at Melbourne's Austin Hospital and is awaiting a liver transplant.</p> <p>All four individuals exhibited symptoms consistent with death cap mushroom poisoning following the lunch, which occurred on July 29.</p> <p>Ms Patterson has consistently <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/i-didn-t-do-anything-i-love-them-woman-who-cooked-meal-with-deadly-mushrooms-speaks-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maintained her innocence</a>, expressing that she held strong affection for her in-laws, particularly considering Gail's role as a motherly figure. Police have also characterised the case as intricate and potentially devoid of malicious intent.</p> <p>Death cap mushrooms possess the potential to cause grave damage to the liver and kidneys, leading to fatality. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort vomiting, and nausea, yet much of the harm can transpire before symptoms surface.</p> <p>Ms Patterson herself remained unaffected by the luncheon she organised, and her two children have been taken into protective custody as a preventive measure, according to police statements.</p> <p>Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the Homicide Squad indicated that authorities are yet to determine whether they are dealing with a potential crime or an unfortunate accident.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / A Current Affair</em></p>

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