Murder accused to face court over mushroom deaths
A 49-year-old woman will front court, accused of murdering three people who died from suspected death cap mushroom poisoning.
Detectives are seen at the property of Erin Patterson in Leongatha, Victoria, Thursday, November 2, 2023. Erin Patterson has been arrested at her home as part of a probe into suspected mushroom poisoning that left three people dead and another seriously ill. Photo: James Ross/AAP
Erin Patterson was on Thursday charged by homicide squad detectives after she was arrested at her Leongatha home in South Gippsland.
Police searched the property and questioned Patterson for several hours before charging her with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
She was remanded in custody to face Morwell Magistrates Court on Friday.
The murder charges and two attempted murder charges relate to an incident on July 29 where four people fell ill after lunch at Patterson’s home.
Heather Wilkinson, 66, her sister Gail Patterson and brother-in-law Don Patterson, both 70, all died after the meal.
Wilkinson’s husband Ian, 68, spent close to two months in hospital critically ill and is still in recovery.
Patterson’s two children were at home during the lunch but did not eat the same meal.
Police say the additional three attempted murder charges relate to three separate incidents in Victoria between 2021 and 2022.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas on Thursday said Patterson’s arrest was the next step in the “complex and thorough” investigation.
“This investigation has been subject to incredibly intense level of public scrutiny and curiosity,” he told reporters.
“It’s particularly important that we keep in mind that at the heart of this, three people have lost their lives.”
Hundreds of people attended public memorials for Mrs Wilkinson, Mrs Patterson and Mr Patterson, who were remembered for their commitment to their families and tight-knit community in Korumburra.
-AAP
