Sole survivor of Erin Patterson’s deadly mushroom lunch breaks his silence after his wife died in hospital

The sole survivor of a fatal mushroom lunch that left three people dead from suspected poisoning has broken his silence more than six months later.

Ian Wilkinson, pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church in eastern Victoria, delivered a heartfelt sermon to the congregation on February 11.

The 70-year-old revealed he would have celebrated his 45th wedding anniversary that week with his wife Heather, who died in hospital just days after the meal.

He reportedly told attendees last Sunday that it had been a “pretty big week.”

“At the start of the week it had been six months since Heather, Gail and Don had been with the gentleman,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“And yesterday was our 45th wedding anniversary, so it’s been a pretty big week, but I’m thankful for everything that God has given me, God has done through me.”

Mr Wilkinson was the sole survivor of a deadly mushroom luncheon held at Erin Patterson’s home on July 29, 2023. Pictured is Korumburra Baptist Church in eastern Victoria.

The pastor, who spent 25 years at the church, jokingly asked the congregation if they remembered a Bible lesson series that was “aborted” last year.

“Does anyone remember our series on Genesis that we started last year?” he asked.

‘Does anyone have vague memories of that? It was cut off dramatically halfway through Genesis chapter two.”

Mr Wilkinson said he was grateful for the support provided by the council. He said, “The roads are sometimes difficult, but God is good. He is with us’.

“A pastor is nothing without the team, the family of God, without the partners in the gospel and you have been such great partners and I want to encourage you to continue,” he told the audience.

Several people shared their admiration for the pastor’s “service, leadership, wisdom, thoughtfulness and wonderful teaching,” the Herald Sun reported.

“When Ian was approached to become our pastor, the church was quite small and going through some tough times, but this didn’t deter Ian…he was eager to follow God’s leading,” said one woman.

“Funds were tight and manpower was very small, but we were guided by the faith, trust and example of Ian and Heather.”

Mushroom chef Erin Patterson, 49, was arrested at her home and charged on November 2 with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

Don and Gail Patterson, both 70 years old, were also victims of the suspected mushroom poisoning

Accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson, 49, was arrested at her home in Leongatha, eastern Victoria, on November 2 and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

It came just months after the mother-of-two was served a beef wellington lunch, believed to be laced with death cap mushrooms, at her home on July 29.

Mr Wilkinson was the sole survivor of the deadly lunch, which claimed the lives of his wife Heather Wilkinson, 66, and Don and Gail Patterson, both 70.

Patterson’s husband Simon bailed on the family lunch at the last minute.

Patterson remains behind bars at Victoria’s largest women’s prison, Dame Phyllis Frost Center in Melbourne’s western industrial suburbs.

She has not entered a plea to any of the charges.

Police are expected to present their evidence on March 25, 2023.