The woman at the centre of the mushroom lunch which left three people dead will face court today.
Erin Patterson was charged on Thursday night with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
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She was kept in custody after being arrested on Thursday and will today appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in Morwell.
On July 29, Patterson served a beef wellington lunch at her South Gippsland home.
Four people became ill and were taken to hospital the next day.
Patterson’s mother-in-law and father-in-law Gail and Don Patterson and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson all died after eating the dish.
Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband was hospitalised and spent time in the ICU. He miraculously survived.
A police statement said, “The murder charges and two attempted murder charges relate to an incident on 29 July where four people were taken to hospital after they fell ill following a meal at a private residence in Leongatha”.
“The further three attempted murder charges relate to three separate incidents in Victoria between 2021-2022.”
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the charges were the next step in the “incredibly complex, methodical and thorough investigation by Homicide Squad detectives”.
“I know that people will no doubt have many unanswered questions about this matter, however I urge people to be especially mindful of unnecessary speculation and not sharing misinformation,” he said.
“Our thoughts today are with the families of those impacted and we will continue to ensure they are provided with all the necessary support they need.”