Police reveal new details on the woman at the centre of suspected mushroom poisoning deaths

Police have confirmed a 48-year-old woman who prepared the meal that allegedly led to the fatal mushroom poisoning of three people is a suspect.

Fresh details have emerged about the woman at the centre of the suspected mushroom poisoning death of three people in Victoria, with homicide detectives confirming she is a suspect in the case.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said Erin Patterson, the 48-year-old woman who served lunch to four people at Leongatha on July 29 was the daughter-in-law of one of the couples who died.

Don and Gail Patterson and her sister Heather Wilkinson died from symptoms consistent with death cap mushroom poisoning after the lunch, falling sick later that evening.

Heather’s husband Ian, the pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church, also suffered from suspected poisoning and is in a critical condition at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital.

Inspector Thomas, speaking at a press conference on Monday, said the woman had separated from her husband, though the police understood the relationship was still amicable.

On Saturday, August 5, investigators executed a search warrant of the residential address at Leongatha where the lunch was served and interviewed the woman that day.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

She was later released.

Inspector Thomas said the woman was a suspect because “she cooked those meals,” but emphasised it was a “complex case” and “it could be very innocent”.

“We have to keep an open mind,” he said.

He added the police knew what the meals were.

Inspector Thomas said the woman did not present any symptoms and her children did not suffer any injuries.

“We have seized a number of what we call exhibits,” he said.

“A lot of the items that we have seized will be forensically tested.

The homicide investigator said toxicology reports were being organised and there was a “lot of work to do” before the police could land on firm conclusions.

He said the police were still unsure where the mushrooms had been sourced from.

“We are presuming at this point it is mushrooms,” he said.

The community of Korumburra in Victoria’s South Gippsland region are in mourning following the death of the Pattersons and Ms Wilkinson.

Heather Wilkinson and Korumburra pastor Ian Wilkinson. Ms Wilkinson died after ingesting poisonous mushrooms. Picture: Supplied

Inspector Thomas told 3AW the children did not partake in the meal and he had not heard of any similar case in recent years.

“It’s a really interesting case, and at this stage I can say the deaths are really unexplained,” he said.

“We’re trying to get to the bottom of it, to understand what has actually occurred.

“What we do know is the four people – three who have passed away – attended a lunch in Leongatha on July 29.

“They had lunch then they left there, but about midnight on that Saturday night some of them started to fall ill.”

During the course of the following day, all four people were admitted to either the Korumburra or Leongatha hospitals.

Inspector Thomas said the group demonstrated food poisoning-type symptoms and were later taken to Austin Hospital.

Don Patterson was killed after ingesting poisonous mushrooms. Picture: Supplied

His wife Gail also died. Picture: Supplied

Inspector Thomas told 3AW the police were working with the Victorian Department of Health and poison specialists at Austin Hospital.

He said police were still undecided whether they were investigating a crime or an accident.

“We’re working for the coroner in these cases, where we become the coronial investigator,” he said.

“We’re working to determine what has gone on, to see if there is any nefarious activity that has occurred or if it was accidental.”

The news comes as a shock to the community of Korumburra, a town of about 3600 people 120km southeast of Melbourne.

Korumburra residents Lee and Chris Clements worked alongside Gail and Don at Korumburra Secondary College.

“My husband and I worked with them for 20 years and it’s really devastating news,” Ms Clements told the Herald Sun.

“Gail was in the office and Don was a very dedicated science teacher and loved his astronomy.

“They were very Christian and very lovely people. They would always say hello and acknowledge everyone.”

Ms Clements said the couple loved to travel and Don had recently visited China to further his religious studies.

South Gippsland Shire Mayor Nathan Hersey confirmed the group were involved in the Korumburra Baptist Church. Picture: Nine

She described Ms Patterson and sister Heather as being close.

South Gippsland Shire Mayor Nathan Hersey confirmed the group were involved in the Korumburra Baptist Church.

He told the Today show on Monday morning they were “well-loved” in their tight-knit community.

“We have had a significant loss to the Korumburra community this week,” he said.

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

Mr Hersey said Mr Wilkinson was still in hospital in a “bad way”, but would not comment on the investigation.

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

“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.

“We are really wondering why is this happening to people who have been so integral and good and great people for our community.

“But, at the moment, we just have to let that investigation continue and provide whatever support we can as a community.”

Mr Hersey said the family had requested privacy while they grieved, but had told the council they “felt supported”.

The mayor confirmed that the family had been at a private lunch when they were struck with what was believed to be gastro.

“That has obviously changed from that point with multiple people becoming extremely unwell,” he said.

“What happens from here needs to remain in the hands of the authorities to investigate.

“We are just hoping for a really good outcome for Ian.”