01 November 2023 , 22:51
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Police in Australia have arrested a women accused of poisoning her former in-laws with a mushroom lunch.
Erin Patterson was taken to Wonthaggi Police Station in East Victoria on Thursday, authorities told local media. The 48-year-old have questioned her in connection with the deaths of her ex-husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson, 66.
All three died after eating deadly mushrooms as part of a beef Wellington meal at the family home in Leongatha back in July. Suspect Ms Patterson, who had cooked the meal, had said at the time she had sourced the dried fungi - which turned out to be death caps - from an Asian supermarket in Melbourne months before. She denies deliberately poisoning the family.
Don and Gail Patterson both died (supplied)Mrs Wilkinson's husband Ian also ate the mushrooms and spent nearly two months in hospital, but survived. The 68-year-old was pictured last month attending his wife Heather's funeral just days after being released from hospital.
Australian media reports police have also been searching Ms Patterson's home following Thursday's arrest. No charges have been made.
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A statement released by Victoria Police said: "Homicide Squad detectives have arrested a woman this morning as part of their investigation into the deaths of three people following an incident in Leongatha earlier this year. Four people were taken to hospital on July 29 after they became ill following a meal at a private residence in Leongatha the previous day.
Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, left, also died, while husband Ian was left critically ill (Nine)"Two Korumburra women, aged 66 and 70, passed away in hospital on August 4. A third person, a 70-year-old Korumburra man, passed away in hospital on August 5. A 69-year-old Korumburra man was released from hospital on 23 September.
"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."