Mushroom deaths: Eerie twist as poisoning victims are buried after Erin Patterson spoke out
Death of mushrooms: eerie twist as poison victims are buried after Erin Patterson spoke out
A couple who died of suspected mushroom poisoning in Victoria’s South Gippsland have been buried in a discreet private ceremony.
The family of Gail and Don Patterson, who died nearly a week apart after eating a Beef Wellington dish believed to contain poisonous death cap mushrooms, were buried in a private service “with only close relatives.”
Their son’s ex-wife, Erin Patterson, cooked the meal and remains a suspect, but is not in custody.
A spokesperson for the family did not reveal whether Ms. Patterson was present, along with the two school-aged children she shares with her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, when he buried his parents.
The couple will be further honored at a public memorial service next week.
The service will be held for Gail and Don Patterson on August 31 at the Korumburra Recreation Center.
“The Patterson family has expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love, support and understanding during this challenging time,” the family said in a statement.
Don and Gail Patterson have been quietly buried in a private service attended by ‘close relatives only’ just over three weeks after they were reportedly fatally poisoned by a Beef Wellington lunch of Death Cap mushrooms
Simon Patterson was reported to have held his parents’ private funeral with his children earlier this week, though it’s not clear if his estranged wife Erin Patterson attended the service.
“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.”
Gail and Don Patterson, both 70, died in hospital after having lunch at a Leongatha home in southeastern Victoria three weeks ago, on July 29.
Ms Patterson’s 66-year-old sister, Heather Wilkinson, also died after the meal, while her Baptist minister husband Ian Wilkinson is in hospital in critical but stable condition.
Police believe all of their symptoms were consistent with death cap mushroom poisoning.
The Pattersons’ daughter-in-law, Erin Patterson, is considered a person of interest as she cooked the lunch that is believed to have led to the deaths.
She was interviewed by police and released without charge, but has since faced intense media attention.
In a statement to police, Ms Patterson said she made a Beef Wellington with mushrooms from a large supermarket and dried mushrooms she bought from an Asian supermarket.
Erin Patterson cooked the Beef Wellington lunch that allegedly contained the Death Cap mushrooms, which contain the most deadly toxins on Earth
Gail Wilkinson also died after eating lunch, but her husband, Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson (right) is still alive and in hospital, needing a liver transplant
Don and Gail Patterson, who were buried in a private service, will be honored next week at a public memorial in the Victorian town of Korumburra
The 48-year-old said her ex-husband would attend the lunch but backed out, with her children also out of the house at the time of the meal.
Ms Patterson said her children ate the leftover Beef Wellington the next day with the mushrooms scraped off.
She also said she ate a portion and later suffered severe abdominal pain and diarrhea, contrary to detectives’ suggestion that she did not become ill.
Victoria Police have not commented on Ms Patterson’s statement, other than saying it was not taken by officers, nor have they provided any updates on their investigation.
The Victorian Health Department must act if a food safety incident occurs.
There have been no ordered mushroom product recalls in the state since the suspected poisonings.