Mushroom cook’s former husband Simon Patterson fell seriously ill in 2022

Police will examine the medical records of Simon Patterson who almost died from a mystery illness twice in 2022; a source close to the family reportedly says he blames his ex-wife.

Simon Patterson, who almost died twice last year.

Detectives are to examine the medical records of the shattered ex-husband of the cook whose mushrooms are feared to have killed his parents and his aunt.

Victorian homicide squad ­investigators were alerted this week to a mystery illness that ­almost killed Simon Patterson twice last year when he was floored by the gut infection.

A source close to the family told the Herald Sun that Mr Patterson believed his ex-wife Erin Patterson had tried to poison him through an “ingested toxin”.

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

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

Mr Patterson, aged in his 40s, is well known in Victoria’s South Gippsland region where he has for years volunteered in local basketball competitions, is a photographer and self-styled adventurer.

His parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and aunt Heather Wilkinson died this month after having lunch at his former wife Erin Patterson’s house in Leongatha, 135km southeast of Melbourne.

Police believe death cap mushrooms killed the three elderly people, with a fourth man – Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson – still in a critical condition and in need of a liver transplant. The inquiry also is examining a dehydrator reportedly found at a local tip, to determine possible connection with the poisonings.

Police were at the tip on Tuesday, the ABC reported, where the dehydrator was recently found.

Dehydrators enable fresh mushrooms, which are seasonal, to be dried and then used months or even years later, creating ­greater flexibility for the cook. Mushrooms are most common in autumn.

It is unclear whether the ­dehydrator was used by Erin ­Patterson or why police knew to look for it.

Police have declined to comment on the latest developments in the case, but South Gippsland is rife with rumours about Simon Patterson’s critical illness last year.

Mr Patterson’s family is using a media adviser and he has maintained he will not be speaking publicly about the scandal.

On Facebook last June he told friends on the Poowong and District Amateur Basketball Association page that he had almost died after collapsing with a mystery illness.

“I collapsed at home, then was in an induced coma for 16 days through which I had three emergency operations, mainly on my small intestine, plus an additional planned operation,’’ he said.

“My family were asked to come and say goodbye to me twice, as I was not expected to live.

“I am pleased to say all the medical work has seemed to have fixed the serious gut problems I had, and I’ve been feeling great for many days.

“I’m expected to make a full ­recovery so I’m back to the same capacity I had before I collapsed.’’

Friends of Simon Patterson said the couple had tried to maintain an amicable relationship after separating; they have two ­children who are around high school age.

This had apparently included going on holiday together.

Erin Patterson at her Leongatha home. Picture: Jason Edwards

Simon Patterson is believed to have taken photographs for The Burra Flyer magazine, which is a Korumburra title published to spruik the local community.

Police are awaiting toxicology results to determine how the three people died, but mushroom ­poisoning is considered the most likely cause.

Ms Patterson, 48, served different meals to the four who fell sick and her children.

Ms Patterson also did not fall ill.

The Australian is not suggesting any wrongdoing by Ms ­Patterson but is merely reporting the facts around the case.

Ms Patterson has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, declaring that the victims were her friends and loved by her.

The incident also had robbed her children of two grandparents.

Friends of Mr Patterson said the couple had tried to maintain an amicable relationship after separating. Picture: Facebook.

While Ms Patterson lives in ­Leongatha, much of the drama is playing out in nearby Korum­burra, where the four victims lived, as does Scott Patterson.

The lunch was held on July 29 but news of the incident only emerged when the story was broken by The Weekend Australian last weekend.

Mushroom poisoning can take days to evolve but with horrific consequences.

If Ian Wilkinson does survive, he may require a liver transplant, police said this week.