Erin Patterson is still being investigated by police after two of her inlaws died and another two fell ill.

A woman from Australia broke down into tears when she spoke to reporters about the mysterious death of three people that fell ill shortly after they had lunch with her last month.

Erin Patterson, 48, invited her in-laws Gail and Don Patterson (both 70) as well as Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson along with her husband Ian to her home for dinner on July 29, 2007. The four "fell ill" later that evening, report the police. Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of Victoria Police's Homicide Squad added.

The weekend saw the deaths of Heather Wilkinson and both Pattersons. Ian is still hospitalized, and according to BBC he is waiting for a liver donation.

Thomas said in a Sunday press conference that the symptoms of all three deaths were consistent with death cap mushrooms. The name implies that they can be deadly when eaten.

Thomas said that Erin's children were present, but they "had a different lunch" and were fine. It's not clear what Patterson prepared or if she ate the meal, but she didn't get sick. The police have also not revealed the source of the potentially lethal fungus.

After the deaths, the homicide team executed a warrant to search Patterson's house. She was interviewed by the investigators that night and released "pending further investigations." Thomas responded that she was a suspected because she "cooked those meals for the people who were present." Thomas added: "She hasn't shown any symptoms, but we need to be open-minded about this. It could be very innocent. But again, we don't know yet."

Thomas revealed that Erin's husband, the sons of the Pattersons who died, and Erin are no longer together. However, he added, "We have been told their relationship is friendly."

He also said that the involvement of the homicide squad does not mean the deaths were "suspicious", but rather "unexplained." He said, "we're working as hard as possible to determine why these deaths occurred," before warning people against eating mushrooms that they have foraged themselves. He said, "If you've not purchased them at a supermarket then perhaps stay away from them."

Thomas said that no charges are expected for the time being, because investigators have "a lot of work" to do to determine what caused the deaths. Thomas concluded that the matter was "very complex".

Erin spoke to reporters in front of her house over the weekend before Don Patterson's death, and was seen crying.

She called Heather and Gail, "some of my best friends that I've met," "devastated by what has happened." She described her late mother in law as the mother that she "didn’t have" when her own mother died four years earlier.

She said, "They did me no wrong." "I am so saddened by what has happened, and the loss for the community, the families and my children who lost their grandmother."

She told reporters that she couldn't believe what happened. I can't believe what happened. I hope [Don] survives, because my kids love him. I am devastated. I loved them. I can't imagine what has happened. I'm sorry that they've lost their lives. I can't believe what happened. "I just can't imagine it.

A reporter asked if Thomas was still considered suspect.

"I claim I did nothing." "I loved them, and I'm distraught that they're no longer there. I hope that Don will pull through with all my heart," she said before heading inside to avoid any questions about the origin of the mushrooms.

The moment when the body of Rachel Morin was discovered by the man who found it is described

-----------------------------------

Title: Woman Exclaims 'I Didn't Do Anything' After 3 Lunch Guests Die from Suspected Mushroom Poisoning
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/08/09/erin-patterson-3-lunch-guests-die-suspected-mushroom-poisoning/
Published Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2023 19:02:01 +0000

Read More