Mushroom cook Erin Patterson not expected to attend memorial to be held on Thursday to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson
Mushroom chef Erin Patterson is not expected to attend Thursday’s memorial to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson
A Victorian woman who cooked a mushroom meal that reportedly killed three people and left a fourth in hospital is not expected to attend a memorial service for two of the dead.
Erin Patterson hosted a luncheon at her home in Leongatha on July 29 for her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister and her husband, Heather and Ian Wilkinson.
Don and Gail were buried last week in the small community’s Korumburra cemetery two hours south-east of Melbourne, but a larger public memorial for the couple is being held today, although Ms Patterson, 48, is unlikely to appear.
The couple were well known in the town, which has a population of 5,800, and it is expected that there will be a large turnout at the memorial, inviting those who knew them to share their “memories and anecdotes” of the couple.
While Ms Patterson has not commented on whether she will be attending the service at Korumburra Recreation Centre, a source close to the family told The Herald Sun they “didn’t expect” her to be there.
A public memorial will be held today for Don and Gail Patterson (pictured together)
![Mushroom cook Erin Patterson not expected to attend memorial to be held on Thursday to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson 2 Erin Patterson (pictured Aug. 8) is not expected to attend the service at the Korumburra Recreation Center](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693438556_205_Mushroom-cook-Erin-Patterson-not-expected-to-attend-memorial-to.jpeg)
Erin Patterson (pictured Aug. 8) is not expected to attend the service at the Korumburra Recreation Center
Korrumburra Baptist Church, where Mr. Wilkinson, who is still hospitalized, is the pastor, has already held a smaller private memorial for Don, Gail and Heather, as has St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
“The upcoming public memorial will be an opportunity for everyone who knew Don and Gail to come together, share memories and celebrate the lasting legacy they left behind,” said a press release announcing the event.
“In keeping with Don and Gail’s wishes and character, the family has chosen to memorialize their lives in a way that reflects their values and the love they shared with their community.”
Victoria Police’s homicide unit is investigating the deaths, while Ms Patterson, a person of interest to the investigation, cooked the fatal lunch.
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Erin Patterson is responsible for the deaths.
![Mushroom cook Erin Patterson not expected to attend memorial to be held on Thursday to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson 4 Korumburra (pictured) just up the road from Leongatha in the country of Victoria, two hours southeast of Melbourne](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693438558_604_Mushroom-cook-Erin-Patterson-not-expected-to-attend-memorial-to.jpeg)
Korumburra (pictured) just up the road from Leongatha in the country of Victoria, two hours southeast of Melbourne
![Mushroom cook Erin Patterson not expected to attend memorial to be held on Thursday to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson 6 Heather Wilkinson died after attending lunch while her husband Ian was in hospital (pictured together)](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693438561_92_Mushroom-cook-Erin-Patterson-not-expected-to-attend-memorial-to.jpeg)
Heather Wilkinson died after attending lunch while her husband Ian was in hospital (pictured together)
![Mushroom cook Erin Patterson not expected to attend memorial to be held on Thursday to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson 8 A sign has recently been posted on the fence of the newly built property in Leongatha (pictured) warning that they will be reported to the police if they set foot inside the border](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693438563_345_Mushroom-cook-Erin-Patterson-not-expected-to-attend-memorial-to.jpeg)
A sign has recently been posted on the fence of the newly built property in Leongatha (pictured) warning that they will be reported to the police if they set foot inside the border
Ms Patterson claims the deadly lunch was prepared with a mixture of mushrooms from a supermarket chain and dried mushrooms from an Asian supermarket in Melbourne.
She then divided the meal onto plates and let her guests choose their own.
Ms Patterson said she took the last remaining plate and ate a portion, later handing the leftovers over to the hospital’s toxicologists for examination.
She said her children also ate the beef wellington the next day, but without the mushrooms. Simon, Mrs. Patterson’s estranged husband, was also invited to lunch, but backed out at the last minute.