An Australian woman fatally poisoned her former in-laws with a toxic mushroom after she served them a meal.
Erin Patterson, who lives in Victoria, Australia, hosted former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, on Saturday July 29. Also at the lunch was Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, and her husband Reverend Ian Wilkinson, 68.
Erin has been separated from her husband Simon – the son of Don and Gail – for 12 months. Despite the split, it’s been said that the former couple had an “amicable” relationship.
Death by toxic mushroom: What happened to Australian woman’s in-laws?
Sky News claimed that the meal contained poisonous mushrooms, causing the in-laws to feel unwell by midnight that evening.
Gail and her sister Heather died a week after the lunch on Friday August 4, while Gail’s husband Don died the day after on Saturday August 5. Heather’s husband Reverend Wilkinson is still fighting for his life in hospital and awaiting a liver transplant.
I just can’t fathom what has happened. I’m so sorry that they have lost their lives. I just can’t believe it.
In addition to this, Erin’s two children were also at the lunch, but were served different meals. As a “precaution”, the two have been taken into state care. Although the police took Erin in for interview, she has since been released without charge.
Erin Patterson denies wrongdoing
Speaking to press outside her home, Erin denied any wrongdoing to her former in-laws. The mother also expressed her sadness over their deaths and stated that they were “some of the best people I’ve ever met”.
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