Woman charged with murder after family lunch left three people dead

Erin Patterson has been charged with murder over the suspected mushroom poisoning deaths of three people.

The 49-year-old was arrested earlier this morning (2 November) and has been charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder, with police searching her home.

Victoria Police confirmed in a statement earlier today that the Leongatha woman was arrested shortly after 8am.

They said: "A 49-year-old Leongatha woman was arrested at her home address shortly after 8am on November 2. A search warrant has been executed at the Gibson Street address, with assistance from the AFP's technology detector dogs. The woman will now be interviewed by police and the investigation remains ongoing."

Ms Patterson, from Victoria, Australia, 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 using dried mushrooms.

Tragedy struck when all four guests fell ill, with Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Patterson both passing away on 4 August, followed by Mr Patterson the following day.

Mr Wilkinson was also hospitalised after the incident, which happened in July.

Homicide squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said Ms Patterson would be interviewed when the search of her home had been completed.

Thomas said her arrest was the next step in a complex and thorough investigation by the homicide squad team that is still not over.

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“Over the last three months ... this investigation has been subjected to incredibly intense levels of public scrutiny and curiosity,” he said.

“I cannot think of another investigation that has generated this level of media and public interest, not only here in Victoria, but also nationally and internationally.”

Thomas added that police would continue providing updates throughout the day.

“At the heart of these matters are the recent deaths of three people and families and loved ones who are trying to come to terms with this,” he added.

“In smaller communities such as Leongatha and Korumburra a tragedy such as this can reverberate for years to come.

“I encourage people to be particularly mindful of unnecessary speculation and the sharing of misinformation. While police are doing everything we can to ensure this investigation is not impacted by this, again I stress, at the heart of these matters are the recent deaths of three people, and families and loved ones who are trying to come to terms with this.”

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Ms Patterson has previously denied any wrongdoing.

“I lost my parents-in-law, my children lost their grandparents,” she told The Australian earlier this year.

“And I’ve been painted as an evil witch. And the media is making it impossible for me to live in this town.

“I can’t have friends over. The media is at the house where my children are at. The media are at my sister’s house so I can’t go there. This is unfair.”