“I Loved Them”: Woman Who Cooked Suspected Fatal Mushrooms Breaks Silence

The woman who cooked the meal which resulted in the suspected fatal mushroom poisoning has stressed she is “very innocent”.

Erin Patterson, 48, cooked the meal for four people on July 29 at Leongatha, later leaving three people dead and a fourth in hospital.

Don and Gale Patterson and her sister Heather Wilkinson died in hospital from symptoms similar to death cap mushroom poisoning.

Ms Wilkinson’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The Victorian Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:

Speaking to media outside the location of the lunch, Ms Patterson looked visibly emotional.

“I didn’t do anything”.

“I loved them, and I’m devastated they are gone.”

Ms Patterson confused Mr Patterson and Mr Wilkinson in her address, saying she hopes Mr Patterson pulls through, when it’s Mr Wilkinson who remains in hospital.

“I hope that every fibre of my being that Don pulls through,” she said.

“I’m so devastated by what’s happened, by the loss of Don, Don is still in hospital, by the loss of Ian and Heather and Gail.

“I’m so devastated about what’s happened and the loss to the community and to the families and to my own children.”

Ms Patterson has been interviewed by police and was released. She has not been charged.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police are still investigating is a crime or an accident.

“We’re working to determine what has gone on, to see if there is any nefarious activity that has occurred or if it was accidental.”

Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.