Mushroom victims’ families ‘shock’ and ‘grief’ over suspected poisoning
Authorities have not ruled out foul play as they investigate the deaths of three Victorians from suspected mushroom poisoning.
Homicide squad detectives have questioned a woman over the suspected mushroom poisoning and subsequent deaths of three people, after a private lunch in rural Victoria went horribly wrong last weekend.
It is understood four people, Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson, his wife Heather, her sister Gail Patterson and her sister’s husband Don Patterson had a meal together at a home in Leongatha, about 135km southeast of Melbourne last Saturday.
All four were taken to hospital on July 30 after they became ill “following a meal at a private residence in Leongatha the previous day”, Victoria Police said in a statement.
Mr and Mrs Patterson, and Mrs Wilkinson died in hospital. Mr Wilkinson is in a critical condition.
A statement issued on behalf of the Wilkinson and Patterson families on Sunday said the “past week has been a time of shock and grief for us all”.
“Our beloved family members, who we will not name at this time out of respect for their privacy, were cherished individuals,” the statement read.
“Their love, steadfast faith, and selfless service have left an indelible mark on our families, the Korumburra Baptist Church, the local community, and indeed, people around the globe.
“Our families will assist appropriate authorities in any way we can and respect any necessary processes amid this tragedy.”
South Gippsland mayor Nathan Hersey said the community was left stunned by the news.
“The South Gippsland and the Korumburra community is shocked and saddened to hear about the deaths of three much-loved community members, and the serious condition of another,” he said.
“These local people are well- known and respected in our community, and we are all deeply affected by this difficult loss.”
It is understood there were more than five people at the lunch – including the woman questioned by authorities – but police would not say how many or if anyone else was sent to hospital. A police spokeswoman said two Korumburra women, aged 66 and 70, died in hospital on Friday and a 70-year-old Korumburra man died on Saturday.
In a statement, the spokeswoman said investigators raided a home in Leongatha on Saturday.
“Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after three people died from suspected mushroom poisoning this week,” she said.
“Investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Leongatha. Detectives also interviewed a 48-year-old Leongatha woman who was released pending further inquiries.
“The investigation surrounding the exact circumstances of the incident remains ongoing and police are liaising with the Department of Health in relation to the matter.”
Around Easter earlier this year, the department of health warned Victorians about the dangers of consuming wild mushrooms amid the change to cool and wet weather conditions.
They identified two wild mushroom types as dangerous, including Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow staining mushrooms.
“(Death Cap and Yellow staining mushrooms) are commonly grow in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, and can cause gastrointestinal illness, liver failure, and death,” a warning issued in April read.
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