AFTER a hiatus while memorial services were held for the three victims of Leongatha’s mushroom poisoning incident on Saturday, July 29, the worldwide media blitz as fired up again.
Media crews from Melbourne have descended on Leongatha and Korumburra today, the centre of the what locals fear has now been confirmed as a crime, although the woman that was arrested this morning in relation to the incident, Erin Patterson has continued to maintain her innocence.
As well as national interest, international media is already carrying stories about the arrest of Ms Patterson, three months after police started investigating the mystery surrounding the family lunch and the subsequent poising and death of three family members, and the long-term hospitalisation of a third.
Following Ms Patterson’s arrest, police have also announced that homicide detectives will make a statement at 1pm today, detailing progress on their investigation and whether or not Ms Patterson is to be charged with any offence in relation to an event which has captured worldwide interest, and may yet have a long way to go.
It has been reported that following her arrest, at her home in Leongatha at 8am on Thursday morning, November 2, Ms Patterson was conveyed to the Wonthaggi Police Station for questioning.
Media have set up outside the Wonthaggi Police Station following the announcement of the arrest, and also at Ms Patterson’s home where police are searching the property, reportedly seeking electronic and phone records.
The escalation in the police response came suddenly today, amid speculation locally that the inquiry must be reaching a crucial stage after the last remaining victim of the family lunch, Ian Wilkinson, 69, was released from hospital, and presumably able to help police with their investigations.
It was almost a month today, on Wednesday, October 4, that Reverend Wilkinson made his first public appearance, walking with the aid of a walking frame, at the memorial service for his wife, Heather Wilkinson, 66, who died in the days following the ill-fated family gathering.
Memorial services for her sister Gail Patterson, 70, and her husband Don, also aged 70, were held a month earlier, on Thursday, August 31, while Mr Wilkinson was still in hospital.
All four had shared the meal, understood to be a beef Wellington, allegedly cooked by Ms Patterson.
Investigators were exploring if the four had consumed death cap mushrooms as part of the meal, a rare but poisonous mushroom that is thought to be responsible for 90 per cent of mushroom-related deaths globally.
This type of mushroom is seen in the local area.
Ms Patterson has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.
Police statement today
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 30 July after they became ill following a meal at a private residence in Leongatha the previous day.
Two Korumburra women, aged 66 and 70, passed away in hospital on 4 August.
A third person, a 70-year-old Korumburra man, passed away in hospital on 5 August.
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 2 November.
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.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to report confidentially log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
