Forensic toxicologist reveals likely death cap mushroom dose in deadly beef wellington lunch

An internationally recognised forensic toxicologist says only eight death cap mushrooms would have been needed in the beef wellington dish which killed three people.

A medical expert believes only eight death cap mushrooms would have been needed in the beef wellington dish to kill three people.

Dr Michael Robertson also said pastor Ian Wilkinson is likely to have survived, not because he was fitter or more healthy, but because he had a smaller slice of the meal and therefore ingested less of the deadly toxin.

Dr Robertson, an internationally recognised independent forensic toxicologist who is an expert in drug and chemical toxicity and used as an expert witness in court cases throughout Australia, also questioned Erin Patterson’s theory the deadly mushrooms could have been contained in a packet bought from a shop or supermarket.

“Given that we had four people quite ill, three of whom have passed away, you’re probably looking at eight mushrooms,” he said.

“In order to result in death, the rough rule of thumb is one or two mushrooms per healthy adult.”

Dr Michael Robertson believes police will be close to getting a detailed toxicology report. Picture: Supplied

He added: “I guess in those sliced versions of mushrooms it’s conceivable they could be sliced within there as well. But, you know, what are the chances of eight of them being in a packet?”

Dr Robertson said police should be “pretty close” to getting toxicology reports back, confirming or ruling out whether the death cap mushroom toxin was present.

But he said it was likely pastor Ian Wilkinson survived purely because he had less of the meal.

“Primarily, the main issue will be the dose that was ingested. So, if we assume for a moment that it was death cap mushroom, the amount of the mushroom that was in that person’s meal,” he said.

“It may be that he didn’t eat the full meal, he didn’t like it and put some aside.

“Why he survived and the other three didn’t, I would suggest he has consumed less of the toxin and therefore it might be that he’s consumed less of the meal than the others.”

He added: “It comes down to whether or not that person has had all the meal.

“I would be surprised if he ate the same amount as everyone else and survived. It’s likely he just ingested less of the toxin.”