Mushroom chef Erin Patterson lashes out at media with three frustrated words – as scrutiny mounts over ‘death cap’ lunch

Mushroom chef Erin Patterson lashes out at the media with three frustrated words – as criticism of ‘death cap’ lunch mounts

  • Erin Patterson shows frustration
  • Pastor’s ‘Miraculous Survival’
  • READ MORE: Messages have been leaked

The woman at the center of the poison mushroom lunch that left three people dead and a fourth fighting for life has lashed out at the media.

Erin Patterson was spotted outside her home in the eastern Victorian town of Leongatha, where she served a beef Wellington lunch on July 29, killing Heather Wilkinson, 66, her sister Gail and husband Don Patterson.

Mrs Wilkinson’s 68-year-old husband Ian was left fighting for life and spent two months in Austin Hospital before being discharged this week.

Ms Patterson has strongly denied anything went wrong. The fatal lunch received a lot of media attention, pushing the desperate chef to his limits.

The 48-year-old was visibly upset as she was harassed by TV reporters on Sunday.

‘No! Go away!’ she shouted.

Erin Patterson, the woman at the center of the mushroom-poisoned lunch, was in no mood to answer media questions

Last weekend it was revealed that Mr Wilkinson, a local church pastor, was discharged from Melbourne’s Austin Hospital in what many are calling a miraculous survival after two months of fighting for his life in a coma.

Trevor Shaw, a parishioner at Korumburra Baptist Church, welcomed the good news.

“It’s with shouting and joy hallelujah, that’s it,” Mr Shaw said.

“Everyone in this community and in the suburbs has been on their knees praying earnestly for his recovery.”

A family statement was released confirming Mr Wilkinson had been released from hospital.

“The Wilkinson family would like to express their sincere thanks to Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their continued dedication and exceptional care which played a vital role in Ian’s recovery,” it said.

“The expertise and compassion of the medical team have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey.”

“The family also thanked the local community, including church members and other loved ones.”

Tragically, Mr. Patterson’s wife Heather, 66, her sister Gail and husband Don Patterson did not survive the poisoning, which is the subject of a police investigation.

The Pattersons, both aged 70, and Mrs Wilkinson died days later.

Ms Patterson told police the mushrooms used in the beef wellington she served were a mixture of mushrooms she bought at a supermarket and dried mushrooms she bought months earlier at an Asian supermarket in Melbourne.

The lunch was held to try to broker a reconciliation between Mrs Patterson and her estranged husband Simon Patterson, son of Gail and Don.

Mrs Patterson (pictured) served a beef wellington lunch at her home, killing three people. She has denied any wrongdoing

Ian Wilkinson (pictured right with wife Heather Wilkinson) has been released from hospital after spending weeks recovering from a poisonous mushroom lunch that claimed the lives of three others, including his wife

However, Simon canceled the participation at the last minute.

It is believed Mr Wilkinson will assist police with their investigation.

Mr Shaw said there was one more thing needed for healing in the local community.

“We all have questions, but hopefully they will be answered,” he said.

“The truth will come out and then we can all, in a way, relax because there will be closure.

“But until there is closure, the grief continues.”

Ms Patterson has denied any wrongdoing and Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting she deliberately poisoned her four family members.

MUSHROOM POISONING: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Saturday July 29

Don and Gail Patterson and Heather and Ian Wilkinson (a minister) meet at Erin Patterson’s home in Leongatha, northeast of Melbourne, for lunch and east of her beef wellington

Erin’s two children go to the movies

Sunday July 30

Erin’s kids eat leftover beef wellington, but with the mushrooms scraped off.

All four lunch guests present at the hospital felt ill. Initially it is thought that they have gastro.

As their condition worsens, they will be transferred to hospitals in Melbourne.

Erin also goes to the hospital.

Monday July 31

Erin is taken to a hospital in Melbourne, where she is treated for poisoning

Friday August 4

Gail and Heather die in the hospital.

The police find Erin’s food dehydrator dumped in a landfill

Saturday August 5

Don dies in the hospital. Police search Erin Patterson’s home in Leongatha and seize a number of items.

Sunday August 6

Police are seen returning to Erin’s house to question her. She hears them wailing loudly from the house before the four officers leave.

Monday August 7

Victoria Police Detective Dean Thomas confirmed Erin is being treated as a person of interest in the case.

However, he says the investigation is still in its early stages and it has yet to be determined whether the deaths are suspicious.

A short time later, Erin breaks her silence and speaks to reporters outside the home. She says she is devastated and “loves” the four family members who came to her home. She denies all allegations, but does not answer the question of where the mushrooms came from, who picked them or what meal she prepared for her guests.

Tuesday August 8

Forensic tests are being conducted to find traces of death cap mushrooms on the food dehydrator. Police suspect it was used during the preparation of the meal.

Wednesday August 9

Daily Mail Australia reveals Simon Patterson was expected to attend the lunch but pulled out at the last minute

Thursday August 10

Erin Patterson tells reporters she is driving to Melbourne to see her lawyers. A representative from the law firm later arrives at her home to deliver a letter, but she is not home.

Friday August 11: Erin Patterson gives a long written statement to the police

Sunday September 24: It is announced that Mr Wilkinson has been discharged from Austin Hospital in Melbourne

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