Mushroom chef mum snaps with threatening warning to strangers posted on her gate as the intense pressure takes its toll

Mother mushroom chef snaps with menacing warning to strangers standing on her gate as intense pressure takes its toll

The woman at the center of the mushroom poisoning that killed three people lashed out at the media with an ominous warning posted on the gate of her rural Victorian estate.

Police said Erin Patterson, 48, is a person of interest in their investigation into the deaths of her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson after they fell ill following a July 29 luncheon she hosted.

Ms Patterson has now posted a legal notice on her front gate warning that journalists and ‘anyone under contract with a media organisation’ will be reported to the police for trespass if they set foot inside the boundary of her property in Leongatha.

It is understood that she has recently returned to her hobby farm after briefly visiting Melbourne, where she owns a mansion in the eastern suburbs worth more than $1 million.

The mother-of-two previously complained that she was frustrated that her privacy was being violated by the intense media attention following the fatal lunch.

Erin Patterson (pictured) is a stakeholder in a police investigation into the suspected poisoning of four people at a luncheon she hosted

A sign was placed on the fence of the newly built Leongatha property (pictured) warning that the media will report to the police if they set foot inside the border

The only other guest, Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, also fell seriously ill and is fighting for his life in hospital.

Ms. Patterson said she was upset that she had lost her in-laws, while her children had lost their grandparents, and that she had been “portrayed as a wicked witch.”

“The media makes it impossible for me to live in this town,” said Ms. Patterson.

‘I can’t have friends over. The media is at the house where my children are. The media is at my sister’s house, so I can’t go there. This is unfair.’

No charges have been filed. It is not suggested that Mrs. Patterson intentionally poisoned the Pattersons or the Wilkinsons.

Victorian Deputy Police Commissioner Wendy Steendam warned the investigation would take a long time as police try to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning.

A letter written by Ms. Patterson and provided to police, seen by The Age and the ABC, reportedly contains details of how Ms. Patterson got the mushrooms she used in the meal she prepared.

She said the letter was meant to explain her side of what happened after she gave an initial “no comment” interview to police and the media portrayed her as anything but an innocent party.

The dried mushrooms were bought months ago from an unknown Asian grocer in a suburb of Melbourne and, according to Ms Patterson, have been hand-labelled.

She also claimed that she told the Ministry of Health and that they visited the store to get samples.

A food dehydrator police found among rubbish she threw out “out of panic” when her husband wondered if she had poisoned her guests, she said.

“I really want to reiterate that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people I loved,” she wrote.

Heather Wilkinson died after attending lunch, while her husband Ian is in hospital in serious condition (pictured together)

Don and Gail Patterson died after eating the beef wellington meal (pictured together)

Her two children had been to the cinema at lunchtime, contrary to previous media reports claiming they were there, but they did eat leftovers with the mushrooms scraped off because they didn’t like them.

They didn’t get sick, but Ms Patterson said she ate the beef wellington for lunch and had an upset stomach, which required her to go to the local hospital and was transferred to Monash Medical Center in Melbourne on July 31.

Deputy Commissioner Steendam clarified that the letter was not an official police statement, but a letter from Ms. Patterson’s lawyers.

She added: “It’s an active cause and if we have more to say publicly, we will. But I think it is useless to speculate or talk at length about the aspects of the investigation.’

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 kids go to the movies

Sunday July 30

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

All four lunch guests who come to the hospital feel sick. At first they are thought to have gastro.

As their condition worsens, they are being transferred to Melbourne hospitals.

Erin also goes to the hospital.

Monday July 31

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

Friday August 4

Gail and Heather die in hospital.

The police find Erin’s dehydrator dumped at a tip

Saturday August 5

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

Sunday August 6

The police return to Erin’s house to question her. She hears loud crying from inside the house before the four officers leave.

Monday August 7

Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas confirms that 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 house. She says she is devastated and “loves” the four family members who came to her home. She denies any allegations, but won’t answer questions about where the mushrooms come from, who picked them, or what kind of meal she prepared for her guests.

Tuesday August 8

In a bizarre twist, it was revealed that Simon Patterson suffered from a mysterious stomach illness in June 2022. He fell into a coma and spent 21 days in ICU. His case has yet to be explained by doctors. It is not suggested that Mrs. Patterson was responsible for the illness.

Forensics are underway to find traces of the dead cap mushroom on the dehydrator. The police suspect that it was used during the preparation of the meal.

Wednesday, August 9

Daily Mail Australia reveals that Simon Patterson was expected to attend the luncheon 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 house to deliver a letter, but she is not home.

Friday August 11

Erin Patterson gives a lengthy written statement to the police

Tuesday August 15

Erin Patterson claims she is portrayed as “a witch” and cannot live in Leongatha, entertain friends, or see her sister.

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