An Australian woman has been taken into custody in connection with a case involving three people who fell seriously ill after attending a family lunch in Leongatha, Victoria.
Erin Patterson, the woman who prepared the meal, is currently under investigation, although she has not been charged with any crime.
The incident occurred in July when Gail and Don Patterson, the parents of Erin Patterson’s former husband, Heather Wilkinson (Gail’s sister), and Ian Wilkinson (Heather’s husband) all experienced severe illness after the family lunch.
A fourth person who attended the gathering was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Following the lunch, Erin Patterson was arrested, but she insists that she is innocent.
The Victoria Police are conducting interviews with her, and a search warrant has been executed at her residence.
Inspector Dean Thomas of the Homicide squad expressed the complexity of the case during a press conference, referring to it as a tragedy that could have far-reaching consequences.
He mentioned the unprecedented level of media and public interest in this case, both in Victoria and internationally.
The Patterson couple and Heather Wilkinson passed away within days of falling ill, while Ian Wilkinson, after two months of medical treatment, fortunately recovered.
In September, Ian Wilkinson’s family expressed their immense relief and gratitude for his recovery, marking a significant moment in this challenging situation.
Erin Patterson herself experienced stomach pains after the meal and was admitted to the hospital. She received a saline drip and medication to prevent liver damage.
She had prepared a beef Wellington pie using a mix of button mushrooms bought from a supermarket and dried mushrooms obtained from an Asian grocery store months earlier.
In August, Erin Patterson expressed her deep regret at the possibility that the mushrooms she used may have contributed to the illnesses of her loved ones.
She emphasized that she had no motive to harm the people she cared about.
The situation remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.
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