Australian police seek answers after 3 die from eating mushroom meal

Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Australian police are seeking answers in connection to the poisoning of three people who died after eating wild mushrooms at a dinner served in Leongatha, Australia.

The three deceased victims, who fell ill after eating on July 29, have been identified as Gail Patterson, her husband, Don Patterson, and her sister Heather Wilkinson.

Heather Wilkinson's husband, the Rev. Ian Wilkinson, also was poisoned and is awaiting a liver transplant.

The victims became ill after eating dinner at the home of Erin Patterson, Gail and Don Patterson's former daughter-in-law.

Erin Patterson and her two children did not suffer serious illness after the meal.

Law enforcement is looking at how a dehydrator, which they have in their possession, may be related to the case, according to 9News.

In 2022, Simon Patterson, Erin Patterson's ex-husband, said he nearly died from stomach issues.

When asked if Erin Patterson was a suspect in the current case, Homicide Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said, "She is because she cooked those mushrooms."

Thomas also acknowledged that the deaths could be "very innocent" and that "we just don't know."

Erin Patterson has said she "didn't do anything," and that her "own children have lost their grandmother."

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