POLICE have confirmed, on Monday this week, that an investigation into an incident of “suspected poisoning” at Leongatha, on Saturday, July 29 “remains ongoing”.
They are however due to provide an update today at 2.30pm.
So far, three people have died, including a 66-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman, sisters from Korumburra, who passed away in hospital on Friday, August 4. A 70-year-old man, married to one of the women, also from Korumburra, died in hospital on Saturday, August 5.
Another man, the 68-year-old pastor of the Korumburra Baptist Church, Ian Wilkinson, remains in intensive care at the Dandenong Hospital.
A fifth person was discharged, after a short presentation at the Leongatha Hospital, on Sunday, July 30.
Police executed a search warrant at a house in Leongatha last Saturday, where it is alleged, the mushrooms had been served as part of a family meal, and questioned a 48-year-old woman who was released pending further enquiries.
Neighbours say the woman, and two children, have lived in a newly built house at the town-edge property for about 12 months.
Police then issued the following statement on Sunday:
“Police have been notified in relation to an incident where four people were taken to hospital with suspected poisoning on July 30.
“The four people, two male and two female, became ill after eating a meal at a private residence in Leongatha the previous day.
“At this time the exact circumstances are still being established and it is not known if the matter is suspicious.
“The investigation into the incident remains ongoing and police will liaise with the Department of Health in relation to the matter.”
It has since been confirmed by local police that the homicide squad is taking an active part in the investigation.
“Given the passing of these three people, and the nature of the incident, involving poisoning, obviously we want to make sure we cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s and the homicide squad has taken part of the active investigation,” said Latrobe Region Police Inspector Peter Fusinato, on Gippsland ABC Radio yesterday.
As late as Monday afternoon, police were still saying they were “not releasing any further information about the incident” but have since announced they will make a statement at 2.30pm.
Metropolitan media outlets spent much of the day at the house but say they saw no sign of the occupants.
There has been an outpouring of grief and concern within the local community that three “well-known and well-loved” people have died, and that another is gravely ill, tempered by the mystery surrounding the incident.
South Gippsland Mayor, Cr Nathan Hersey, and fellow ward councillor, Jenni Keerie, were asked to speak on behalf of the community:
“The South Gippsland and the Korumburra community is shocked and saddened to hear about the deaths of three much-loved community members, and the serious condition of another,” said Cr Hersey.
“These local people are well known and respected in our community, and we are all deeply affected by this difficult loss.
“Council has been in touch with the family and will do what we can to support them. The family are being well supported by many in the community. We ask that the family’s request for privacy be respected.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community members at this time.”
All four people are members of the Korumburra Baptist Church which held its usual Sunday service, at 10.30am, only hours after many had learned of the passing of a third victim.
“We don’t understand why these bad things are happening, but we trust in your love,” said church elders through stoic tears.
In a particularly moving part of the service, each church member came to the alter to say a prayer and light a candle while the Josh Groban hymn ‘You Raise Me Up’ played in the background.
Gippsland Southern Health (GSHS) CEO Lou Sparkes said one couple attended the Korumburra hospital and a second couple later presented at the Leongatha urgent care centre on July 30. All were transferred to Melbourne hospitals with suspected food poisoning after initial treatment at GSHS.
She said the Department of Health had earlier this year warned Victorians of the dangers of eating wild mushrooms.
“It is very difficult to distinguish between poisonous and edible wild mushrooms, so the best advice is to only consume mushrooms purchased from a retail outlet,” Ms Sparkes said.
Ms Sparkes said the deaths had distressed local people.
“Our thoughts are with the families and the community at this difficult time,” she said.
SEE ALSO YOUTUBE VIDEO OF POLICE MEDIA CONFERENCE (Homicide Detective Inspector Dean Thomas) : https://youtu.be/6h3lDcrxsAg?list=PL76a1Le9-C8dpT5gBqza4UeeFn1Dh3kWA
