• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Twist in deadly poisonous mushroom lunch case as fifth person confirmed to have been hospitalised

Home> News> World News

Updated 09:55 15 Aug 2023 GMT+1Published 09:32 12 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Twist in deadly poisonous mushroom lunch case as fifth person confirmed to have been hospitalised

Three people died and a fourth is in a critical condition while he awaits a liver transplant

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A fifth person is confirmed to have been hospitalised in the case of a family in Australia being fatally poisoned by wild mushrooms.

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, Australia, recently invited former in-laws Gail and Don Patterson, both 70, as well as Mrs Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, and her husband Reverend Ian Wilkinson, 68, to her home for a meal, cooking the group beef wellington.

However, tragedy struck when all four guests fell ill the day after the lunch, having been rushed to Leongatha Hospital experiencing 'gastro-like symptoms', which later worsened.

Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Patterson both passed away on 5 August, followed by Mr Patterson the following day.

Advert

Mr Wilkinson is still in hospital and is said to be in a critical condition while he awaits a liver transplant.

Ms Patterson and her two kids, however, did not fall ill, and are said to have eaten a different meal.

It has now been confirmed that a fifth person was also hospitalised in the incident, although they have thankfully been discharged.

A hospital spokesperson said: “A fifth person was discharged, after a short presentation at the Leongatha Hospital.”

Heather and Ian Wilkinson fell ill following the gathering, with Heather sadly passing away and Ian remaining in critical condition.
ABC

Advert

After determining that all four guests had consumed poisonous mushrooms, known as death caps, during the gathering, police in Victoria have launched an investigation into the mysterious deaths.

Ms Patterson was interviewed by police but was later released without charge, though she remains a suspect.

Standing outside her home, the 48-year-old pleaded her innocence to reporters, claiming she had nothing to do with the deaths.

She said: "The loss to the community and to the families and my own children who have lost their grandmother… I just can't fathom what has happened.

"I'm so sorry that they have lost their lives. I just can't believe it. I didn't do anything, I love them and I'm devastated they are gone."

Advert

Ms Patterson did not answer any questions about the mushrooms, which are believed to have been the cause of the poisoning.

Erin Patterson has pleaded her innocence.
Nine

Victoria Police, which is working with a team of medical experts and the health authority to get to the bottom of the case, said the victims experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning from the death cap mushroom.

The particularly potent fungi contains the poison amanitin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

According to the Victoria health department, just one mushroom is enough to kill.

Advert

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said: "I'm not aware of an investigation where we've had three people die as a result of an apparent food poisoning, whether that be by a mushroom or something else - so yes, it is quite unique.

"[Ms Patterson] has not presented with any symptoms. So again, that forms part of our investigation whether she did or didn't eat any of the mushrooms or anything else that may have been eaten on that particular day."

Featured Image Credit: 9 News

Topics: Australia, Crime, World News, Erin Patterson

Jess Hardiman
Jess Hardiman

Jess is Entertainment Desk Lead at LADbible Group. She graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

X

@Jess_Hardiman

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Daughter of woman who 'cooked poisonous mushroom lunch' shares what her mum said before meal that killed three
  • Disturbing internet search history of woman accused of killing ex-husband's family with 'death mushrooms' in meal
  • Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been arrested after her meal killed three people
  • Woman at centre of mushroom poisoning scandal visits lawyers month after deadly meal

Choose your content:

a minute ago
an hour ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • JULIE JAMMOT/AFP via Getty ImagesJULIE JAMMOT/AFP via Getty Images
    a minute ago

    Police announce major update into homicide investigation of man found in 'pool of blood' at Burning Man

    The man was found dead at the Burning Man festival, and police are searching for more information

    News
  • Family HandoutFamily Handout
    an hour ago

    Boy arrested after 12-year-old fell off playground roundabout and died

    Police are investigating the matter

    News
  • Mrs/Getty ImagesMrs/Getty Images
    12 hours ago

    Scientists think one thing causes you to get more mosquito bites than other people

    Boffins reckon they know the reason why some people are prime targets for the pesky insects

    News
  • Getty Stock ImagesGetty Stock Images
    13 hours ago

    'Grey rocking' is the new method people are using to get rid of manipulative people

    Although 'grey rocking' can reduce conflict, it isn't yet backed by published research

    News