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News in English
Сентябрь
2023

‘Death cap’ mushroom survivor lives to tell tale of poisoning

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The sole survivor of a lethal mushroom poisoning in a small Australian town has been released from hospital, a development that could give detectives the breakthrough they need to solve the case.

Nearly two months after unknowingly eating “death cap” mushrooms, 68-year-old Ian Wilkinson is well enough to tell police what happened at the fatal family lunch that killed his wife and two relatives.

Erin Patterson, the woman who served the group the beef wellington suspected of containing the deadly fungi, has insisted she did not intend to harm her guests.

Mr Wilkinson’s wife Heather, her sister Gail Patterson and brother-in-law Don Patterson died days after eating the meal cooked by Ms Patterson.

It was feared Mr Wilkinson would also not survive the toxins, which damaged his liver and kidneys.

On Sunday, parishioners at the church where Mr Wilkinson is a pastor hailed the “miracle” recovery while his family said the homecoming “marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude”. They thanked well-wishers who they said had been a “pillar of strength”.

A “devastated” Ms Patterson has previously paid tribute to the victims, saying she had a “deep love” for her in-laws and did not deliberately add the poisonous ingredient.

Death caps, which can appear similar to edible varieties, are responsible for about 90 per cent of mushroom-related deaths worldwide.

Patterson admitted lying to police

Ms Patterson had welcomed the four guests to her home in Leongatha, in south-east Victoria, on July 29 as the family tried to remain amicable throughout her separation from her husband Simon.

Following the deaths, police searched a rubbish tip where they found a food dehydrator belonging to Ms Patterson. She initially told them she had dumped it “a long time ago”.

But in a subsequent statement, Ms Patterson admitted lying to police. She recalled that in a state of panic she had taken the cooking equipment to a rubbish tip after her estranged husband asked if she had used the dehydrator to “poison” his parents.

She said she had bought button mushrooms from a local supermarket, as well as dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery in Melbourne, which she did not name in her statement.

Ms Patterson has also revealed that she had become ill after the meal. The hospital confirmed a fifth patient had presented symptoms of food poisoning.

The Victoria Police homicide squad is reviewing CCTV and questioning witnesses as they consider whether to proceed with charges.

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