Woman denies poisoning family with death cap mushrooms after 3 die

globalnews.ca:

A small town in Australia is reeling after three people died in quick succession, with another fighting for his life, after they went to lunch with their relative who still remains unharmed. The case has captured international attention over speculation that the host may have poisoned her guests with death cap mushrooms.

Erin Patterson, 48, hosted her former parents-in-law and her mother-in-law’s sister and husband for a midday meal in the town of Leongatha in southern Victoria on July 29, police said. Shortly after, the four guests were hospitalized with severe gastrointestinal problems.

Days later, Gail Patterson, 70, and her sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, were dead. The next day, Gail’s 70-year-old husband Don also died.

The fourth guest, Wilkinson’s 68-year-old husband Ian, remains in critical condition and is in need of a liver transplant.

Erin cooked the lunch and was the only adult who didn’t fall ill after eating. Her two children were also at the lunch but ate a different meal. They show no signs of illness.

Speaking to reporters outside her home on Monday, Erin denied involvement in the deaths.

“I’m devastated. I loved them. And I can’t believe that this has happened and I’m so sorry,” she said.

Erin is separated from her husband, Simon, whose parents died after eating the fatal lunch, but police described their relationship as “amicable” in a Monday news briefing.

Det. Insp. Dean Thomas of the Victoria Police added that Erin is a suspect in the homicide investigation, but no charges have been laid thus far.

“We have to keep an open mind in relation to this. It could be very innocent,” Thomas said. “But again, we just don’t know at this point.… Four people turn up and three of them pass away, with another one