Inside the mushroom tragedy that rocked a small town

Until this week Leongatha was best known as a weekend getaway spot, now it’s famous for a deadly mushroom lunch, cooked up by a former newsletter editor.

Until this week, Leongatha was best known as a weekend getaway spot with a historic town centre and charming boutiques.

Now, it’s most famous for a deadly beef Wellington lunch, cooked up by a former newsletter editor, Erin Patterson for her in-laws.

Three people — Gail Patterson, Don Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson — are dead and another remains fighting for life after it’s believed they ate death cap mushrooms.

Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband, who also ate the meal, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The tragedy has garnered global interest, with headlines splashed across the pages of the New York Times and Washington Post.

Precisely what happened at the gathering remains the subject of a massive police investigation.

Erin Patterson hosted the deadly mushroom lunch at her Leongatha property. Picture: Brooke Grebert-Craig.

What investigators do know is that the weekend get-together was hosted by Erin Patterson, Gail and Don’s former daughter-in-law, at her property.

She remains the prime suspect after she cooked the meal but prepared a separate one for herself and two children.

What transpired was a series of unimaginable twists and turns, straight out of an episode of Law and Order.

Ms Patterson was interviewed by detectives but released pending further inquiries as her two-storey home was raided by police.

A food dehydrator was also forensically tested after it was dumped at a nearby tip the day after the mushrooms were eaten.

When questioned by the media this week, Ms Patterson maintained her innocence.

“I didn’t do anything,” she said.

“I loved them and I’m devastated they are gone.

“They were some of the best people I’ve ever met.”

Ms Patterson refused to answer where the mushrooms came from and if she had picked them.

It’s believed she originally told police she bought the mushrooms from “the local shops” but later gave “no comment”.

Woolworths and Coles confirmed they weren’t investigating their mushroom supply and haven’t received any requests from authorities or food safety bodies.

Speculation grew when a source close to the Patterson family told the Herald Sun that Ms Patterson’s ex-husband Simon Patterson believed she tried to poison him.

The source said Mr Patterson allegedly told his family and friends about his suspicions after he battled a mystery gut illness last year.

Mr Patterson suddenly collapsed at home and was placed into an induced for 16 days.

Ms Patterson served the lunch at her two-storey home. Picture: Ian Currie

He even said that his family were told to “say goodbye” to him twice as he was expected to die.

“Simon suspected he had been poisoned by Erin,” the source said.

“There were times he had felt … a bit off and it often coincided when he spent time with her.”

The source said Mr Patterson thought he had ingested the poison through nightshade plants.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting Ms Patterson did attempt to poison Mr Patterson, only that he has made allegations to that effect.

Very little is known about the pair’s relationship other than that they separated years ago and have two children together.

Mr Patterson, a project engineering manager, wanted to keep the relationship stable for the kids.

“I think he was really trying to facilitate a healthy co-parenting arrangement,” the source said.

“Basically all of his choices and everything he was doing was to keep things stable for the kids.”

The community remains tight-lipped about their long-term friends, in total shock about the tragic events that unfolded on July 29.

Don Patterson, a former teacher at Korumburra Secondary College, has been remembered for his “contagious smile”.

His wife, Gail, worked in the school office and was known for her helping hand.

Sheep grazing on Ms Patterson’s property. Picture: Ian Currie

The couple were the editors of the Burra Flyer newsletter before Ms Patterson took over five years ago.

But Ms Patterson resigned to care for Gail after she was diagnosed with meningitis and encephalitis in 2020 with a friend describing their relationship as “close”.

Ms Patterson also said Gail was like a mother to her after the death of her own mum four years ago.

Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, was a generous teachers aid and her husband, Ian Wilkinson, was a local pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church.

South Gippsland Shire mayor Nathan Hersey said the couples were “well loved”.

He said the amount of attention the investigation had received had made it “difficult” for those in the area.

“I think a lot of people are feeling it now with the amount of attention this has had,” he said.

“There’s not a lot of speculation among people in the area because people just don’t want to talk about it.

“The message I’m hearing is that there’s a lot of attention around this – and perhaps unexpected attention – and because of that people are choosing to focus elsewhere.”

Cr Hersey said the tragedy had prompted a broader conversation in the community about organ donation.

It comes amid the news that Mr Wilkinson is awaiting a liver transplant after ingesting the mushrooms.

Flowers left at Ms Patterson’s Leongatha home. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Patterson leaving her home with a small suitcase. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Many people in our community are grieving the loss of three very important, much-loved, and very well-respected people,” Cr Hersey said.

“It’s very hard in a tight-knit community, particularly when you have individuals who give back and give so much to the community.

“It’s felt wide, far and wide, and I’m sure not just within South Gippsland and Korumburra, but further around our region as well.”

Councillor Sarah Gilligan said residents knew the dangers of wild mushrooms.

“The impact is shock, locals know about the dangers and types of mushrooms here so there is confusion and disbelief at how this could have happened,” she said.

“Volunteers keep the wheels turning here and to lose three passionate South Gippslanders who have touched so many lives with their decency, their community spirit and generosity changes us forever.

“Shock is an understatement but our small communities are incredibly resilient and will keep pulling together with love”.

Determining intent or otherwise is likely to be a key element for police.

Ms Patterson’s own comments make it clear she served the fatal meal, saying she felt “shithouse” about what had happened.

But that does not prove she meant to poison anyone.

“That (intent) could be a difficult thing to prove,” one officer said.

Police confirmed the deaths were being treated as “unexplained”.

They don’t expect this to change any time soon with a toxicology report being sought.

Investigators declined to comment on the specifics of the case including what it entails, who they have spoken to and whether they have issued any warrants.

Although many details remain a mystery, Leongatha will forever mourn the loss of three passionate volunteers from one deadly lunch.