Two mystery mushroom poisoning victims laid to rest, public memorial next week

Two victims of the mystery mushroom poisoning have been laid to rest and will be memorialised in a public service in Gippsland next week.

Don and Gail Patterson died after they are believed to have eaten poisonous death cap mushrooms during a family lunch at their daughter-in-law Erin Patterson’s house in Leongatha in regional Victoria on July 29.

Don and Gail Patterson used to work at the local high school and were well-respected members of the Korumburra community.

A Patterson family statement released on Wednesday extended an invitation to the community for a public memorial service for Don and Gail at the Korumburra Recreation Centre next Thursday, August 31 at 2pm.

The statement said the pair were buried in a private ceremony earlier this week.

Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson also died after coming down with gastro-like symptoms following a family lunch, but it is not known whether a funeral has been held yet. Her husband, Korumburra Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson, has been fighting for life in hospital after suffering from similar suspected mushroom poisoning. A family spokesperson confirmed separately on Wednesday his condition was improving.

“The Patterson family has expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and understanding during this challenging time,” the family statement released on Wednesday said.

“They have been touched by the many memories and stories shared by friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who were touched by Don and Gail’s kindness and generosity.

“In keeping with Don and Gail’s wishes and character, the family has chosen to commemorate their lives in a manner that reflects their values and the love they shared with their community. A private burial was held earlier this week, attended by close family members.”

Victoria Police are investigating the unexplained deaths.

Homicide squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas has said Erin Patterson remained a suspect because she cooked the meals.

Patterson has given a sworn written statement to police documenting her side of the incident, in a bid to answer questions and refute what she claims has been wildly inaccurate media reporting.

Patterson said she bought the fungi, used in a beef Wellington served at the lunch, at an Asian grocer in Mount Waverley in Melbourne’s east. She said the package of dried mushrooms was bought at least three months before the lunch, and they were hand-labelled.

In her statement, Patterson said the mushrooms were rehydrated and mixed into the dish with other mushrooms purchased from a supermarket.

Patterson also said she intentionally disposed of the food dehydrator that police found in a skip bin at the Koonwarra Transfer Station because she panicked after she said people began accusing her of intentionally poisoning the meal.

Victoria’s deputy police commissioner, Wendy Steendam, last week said it was unhelpful that Patterson’s lengthy legal statement about how she cooked the mushroom meal was widely circulated before detectives could examine its veracity.

Thomas, from the homicide squad, has also said police were still considering an accidental poisoning “not at the hands of somebody else” to be a possibility, alongside a potentially “nefarious activity”.

Don and Gail Patterson were former teachers at the Korumburra Secondary College and ran the local gazette, The Burra Flyer, for years before passing the baton in 2018 to Erin – their son Simon Patterson’s wife.

Erin and Simon had an acrimonious relationship and were living separately for several years before formally separating in 2021.

Former student Sam Provan said Don “did not have an evil bone in his body”.

Friend Helen Taylor described Gail as a helpful and friendly woman, who was well-respected in town and heavily involved with the local community.

Parishioners are praying daily at the local Baptist church where the victims were heavily involved. Ian Wilkinson, still seriously ill in hospital, was a pastor at the church.

The Patterson family continued to request privacy in their statement released on Wednesday.

Poisoning victims Don and Gail Patterson and Heather and Ian Wilkinson, and the Leongatha house where Erin Patterson lives. Right: a street in Leongatha.Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola; Paul Jeffers

Further memorial details, including practical ways the community can help, will be shared in due course, Wednesday’s statement said.

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