Mushroom poisoning, Leongatha: Sole survivor Ian Wilkinson continues to make progress after ‘miraculous’ recovery – as friend shares haunting message: ‘The truth will come out’
The sole survivor of the deadly mushroom lunch is making good progress in his recovery at home, while a friend has called for the ‘truth to be exposed’ about the mystery meal.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson, 68, narrowly avoided death after eating a poisonous beef wellington dish prepared by stay-at-home mother Erin Patterson in Leongatha, eastern Victoria, on July 29.
His wife Heather, 66, his sister Gail and her husband Don Patterson, were invited to lunch as part of a ‘mediation’ met to discuss Mrs Patterson’s relationship with her estranged husband Simon, who backed out at the last minute.
About 30 parishioners prayed for Mr Wilkinson’s continued recovery at the South Gippsland church on Sunday.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson (pictured, right), 68, narrowly avoided death after eating a poisonous beef wellington dish prepared by stay-at-home mother Erin Patterson in Leongatha, eastern Victoria, on July 29. A memorial for his wife Heather (left), 66, will take place Wednesday
Erin Patterson is pictured outside her home days after serving the deadly meal
“He’s doing well, that’s all we know at this point,” one churchgoer told the church Herald Sun.
“He’s definitely improving.”
Last week, church attendee Trevor Shaw told the publication that the city was eager for the “truth” to be revealed.
“They have all prayed fervently for Ian’s recovery and for the truth to come to light,” he said.
‘That is the most important. That the truth will come out, and then we can all relax in a sense, because then there will be closure.”
It comes as members of the close-knit Korumburra Baptist Church will remember his wife, Mrs Wilkinson, at a public memorial on Wednesday.
The commemoration is expected to be similar to the one for the Pattersons on August 31, when more than 450 mourners gathered at the Korumburra Recreation Center to pay their respects to the beloved couple.
Erin’s former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson (pictured) died a week after attending the luncheon
Simon Patterson paid tribute to his parents at a public memorial last month
Mr. Wilkinson has not been seen in public since his release from Austin Hospital and it remains unknown whether he has spoken to homicide detectives.
In a tribute published online, the family said Mrs Wilkinson’s life was “well lived”.
“Beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, favorite mother-in-law, grandmother and friend to many,” it said.
“She had a life well lived, and we love her. Missed very much until we meet again. At home with her Lord Jesus.’
Last week, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Mr Patterson had installed security cameras in his home just days after being released from hospital.
Victoria Police have refused to comment on veteran crime reporter John Silvester’s claims that forensic tests led police to conclude the mushrooms in the infamous meal were responsible for the trio’s deaths.
“The investigation is ongoing,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Erin Patterson has denied any wrongdoing, and Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting she deliberately poisoned her four family members.