The Australian woman who cooked a meal of beef Wellington that contained mushrooms believed to have killed three in-laws has given her first detailed account of the events surrounding the fatal lunch. Erin Patterson, a Gippsland woman, has spoken out in a written statement sent to Victoria Police, saying she regrets not answering questions immediately after the deaths.
Patterson says she bought the fungi at a supermarket and an unidentified Asian grocery in Melbourne, and was hospitalized after eating the meal herself. She could not recall the exact location of the Asian grocery where she bought dried mushrooms. Patterson also revealed that she had previously been hospitalized with bad stomach pains and diarrhea after eating the meal, and was treated with a saline drip and a “liver protective drug”.
According to her statement, Patterson served the meal and allowed her elderly guests to choose their own plates. She then took the last plate and ate a serve of the beef Wellington herself. The Patterson children ate the leftovers the following night, but Patterson said they do not like mushrooms, so she scraped them off the meal.
Patterson said it had not been previously reported that she was also hospitalized after the lunch, and that she preserved what was left of the lunch and gave it to hospital toxicologists for examination. She said she told investigators from the Department of Health where she had bought the mushrooms, although was unable to identify the specific shop in Melbourne where she bought the dried fungi.
Patterson also addressed media reports that police had seized a food dehydrator at a local tip, saying it was hers. She admitted she lied to investigators when she told them she had dumped it at the tip “a long time ago”. Patterson said she was at the hospital with her children “discussing the food hydrator” when her ex-husband, the son of the dead couple, asked: “Is that what you used to poison them?”
Patterson paid tribute to her parents-in-law, saying she had been close to them for a long time and had maintained a positive relationship even after her marriage breakdown. She said her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, intended joining the fatal lunch, but told her “prior to the day” that he would not be attending.
The investigation into the deaths is ongoing, and Patterson said she was willing to assist police, potentially to the extent of being re-interviewed.
Conclusion:
The case of Erin Patterson, who is believed to have cooked a meal of beef Wellington that contained mushrooms that may have killed three of her in-laws, highlights the importance of proper food handling and preparation. It also raises questions about the role of mushrooms in food poisoning and the need for further research into this area.
FAQs:
Q: What type of mushrooms were believed to have caused the deaths?
A: The mushrooms believed to have caused the deaths were death cap mushrooms, also known as Amanita phalloides.
Q: Where did Erin Patterson buy the mushrooms?
A: Erin Patterson bought the mushrooms at a supermarket and an unidentified Asian grocery in Melbourne.
Q: Did Erin Patterson eat the mushrooms herself?
A: Yes, Erin Patterson ate the mushrooms herself after serving them to her elderly guests.
Q: How many people died after eating the meal?
A: Three people died after eating the meal: Patterson’s mother-in-law, father-in-law, and his sister.
Q: Is Erin Patterson still cooperating with the investigation?
A: Yes, Erin Patterson is still cooperating with the investigation and has provided a written statement to Victoria Police.