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She served four relatives Beef Wellington for lunch.
It was the last meal for three of them.
Now Erin Patterson, 49, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
On Saturday, July 29, in Leongatha, Australia, a town of 6,000 about 13 miles southeast of Melbourne, the mother-of-two invited her former in-laws Gail and Don Patterson, both 70, Gail’s sister Heather, 66, and husband Ian Wilkinson, 68, to lunch.
Erin Pattersson served a lunch to the four. They all fell ill immediately after eating Biff Wellington, which contains mushrooms, and were rushed to hospital, writes ABC Australia.
So the hostess survived
On the fourth of August Heather Wilkinson and Gail Patterson died in the hospital, the next day Don Patterson died. Ian Wilkinson’s condition was critical, but he was able to be discharged from hospital on 23 September.
Two days later, on August 6, Victoria’s health authorities reported that three people had died from suspected mushroom poisoning.
Erin Patterson was arrested Thursday morning. In questioning, she says she bought the mushrooms in a shop and cooked beef Wellington for lunch.
According to some reports, Erin Patterson’s two children were also at the lunch, but according to Dean Thomas at the homicide scene, they ate different food and did not get stomach upset.
Erin Patterson herself says she felt sick after the meal, but got better in hospital after receiving a shot that protected her liver. She and the children went to hospital as a precaution.
Denies crime
In addition to three murders, Erin Patterson is charged with five attempted murders, including that of a 48-year-old man from the neighboring town of Korumburra, who is believed to be Erin’s ex-husband Simon. The man became ill after eating Erin’s food, according to the report Sydney Morning Herald and ABC.
Dean Thomas says:
– This is just the next step in what has been an incredibly complex, methodical and thorough investigation by the police.
Erin Patterson has previously told local media that she was “devastated” by the deaths of her relatives and denies any wrongdoing.
– I did nothing, I loved them, she has earlier tearfully told reporters outside her home, according to the BBC.
– Gail was the mother I never had. My own children have lost their grandmother. They were some of the best people I’ve ever known. I am devastated that they are gone.
She will appear in court on Friday.