In the quiet town of Leongatha in eastern Victoria, a group of family and friends sat down to a Saturday lunch at one of their homes.
Within hours of the meal four of the guests began feeling very unwell and eventually sought treatment at local hospitals.
Nearly two weeks later, three of them are dead from suspected mushroom poisoning, one is fighting for his life, and the woman who cooked the meal is a suspect.
The meal dominates conversation in nearby Korumburra, the town where lunch guest Ian Wilkinson, who remains in a critical condition, is a pastor.
Kris Ward, who runs the veterinary clinic not far from the church, says those who died were really good friends and would meet up every Thursday for lunch and a walk.
“You couldn’t ask for more pleasant people,” says Ward. “They would often go walking along the rail trail. They’ll be terribly missed.”
Erin Patterson, 45, hosted the lunch at her home in Leongatha on 29 July for her former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband, Ian.
Don, Gail and Heather are now dead. Police say their symptoms were consistent with having eaten death cap mushrooms.
The mushrooms, which grow across this part of Victoria, are easily mistaken for edible fungi. A small quantity can be fatal.
Police say Patterson remains a suspect in the investigation because she had prepared the meal.
But Det Insp Dean Thomas has warned people not to speculate about the case, because it could turn out to be “very innocent”. “We just don’t know.”
Police are conducting forensic tests on items seized at the house. They also visited a nearby tip during the investigation.
Outside the Korumburra Baptist church on Wednesday wreaths of flowers were piling up. Every afternoon this week the Baptist community has met to pray that their pastor Ian Wilkinson survives.
A small letter pinned to the church noticeboard shares the news of a “tragic event that has deeply affected our family, friends and church communities”.
It describes the three who died as “beloved family members” and thanks the community for their love and support.
Mushroom foraging is popular in the area. Even the local mayor does it.
“I do it with my wife and friends,” says Nathan Hersey, mayor of the South Gippsland Shire council. “It’s something that has increased over the years.”
Hersey says the well-connected community has been hit hard by the deaths. “They were very loved and respected.”
In hushed tones people discuss the lunch, wondering what happened. Samantha Clarke runs one of the second-hand goods shops up the street from the church. “Everyone is devastated, to be honest,” Clarke says. “They were very friendly, very community-oriented people.”
Another customer chimes in to say Don taught someone she knew and they always said he was a good teacher. “They’ll be sadly missed.”
Clarke says Korumburra has rallied behind the families involved: neighbours are cooking food for each other and checking on those close to the Pattersons and Wilkinsons.
“It’s a really sad thing. Really, really sad and shocking.”
Local florist Kathy says Korumburra is the kind of town where most people go to church, not necessarily because they believe in God, but to catch up with friends and neighbours. She’s been run off her feet processing orders.
The Pattersons used to teach at the local high school and helped run the Burra Flyer, a local publication listing events happening around town and advertising businesses.
The Wilkinsons helped lead what is known as the “combined churches” – a group of people from different denominations who meet up and host events.
Police interviewed Erin Patterson and released her without filing any charges, but she is still a suspect.
After journalists waited by her front door, Patterson professed her innocence, saying she “didn’t do anything”.
“I loved them and I’m devastated they are gone,” she said on Monday. “They were some of the best people I’ve ever met. Gail was like a mum I didn’t have because my mum passed away four years ago.
“I’m so devastated about what’s happened and the loss to the community and to the families and my own children. They’ve lost their grandmother.”
Patterson is separated from her husband but police have been told their relationship is amicable.
Police, who searched her home over the weekend and took several items away, say Patterson’s children were also at the lunch but did not eat the meal.
