Mushroom cook Erin Patterson not expected to attend memorial to be held on Thursday to celebrate the lives of Don and Gail Patterson
A Victorian woman who cooked a meal containing mushrooms that allegedly killed three people and left a fourth in hospital is not expected to attend a memorial for two of those who died.
Erin Patterson hosted a July 29 lunch at her Leongatha home for her parents in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister and her husband, Heather and Ian Wilkinson.
Don and Gail were laid to rest at Korumburra cemetery in the small community two hours south-east of Melbourne last week, but a larger public memorial for the pair is being held today, though Ms Patterson, 48, will likely not make an appearance.
The couple were well known in the town, population 5,800, and there is expected to be a large turnout at the memorial in which those who knew them are invited to share their ‘memories and anecdotes’ of the couple.
While Ms Patterson has not commented on whether she will attend the service at Korumburra Recreation Centre, a source close to the family told The Herald Sun they ‘did not expect’ her to be there.
A public memorial will be held for Don and Gail Patterson today (pictured together)
Erin Patterson (pictured on August 8) is not expected to attend the service at Korumburra Recreation Centre
Korrumburra Baptist church where Mr Wilkinson, who remains in hospital, is a pastor has already held a smaller private memorial for Don, Gail and Heather, as did St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
‘The upcoming public memorial will be an opportunity for all who knew Don and Gail to come together, share memories, and celebrate the lasting legacy they have left behind,’ a media release about the event said.
‘In keeping with Don and Gail’s wishes and character, the family has chosen to commemorate their lives in a manner that reflects their values and the love they shared with their community.’
Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad is investigating the deaths with Ms Patterson a person of interest in the investigation as she cooked the fatal lunch.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Erin Patterson is responsible for the deaths.
Korumburra (pictured) just up the road from Leongatha in country Victoria, two hours south-east of Melbourne
Heather Wilkinson died after she attended the lunch while her husband Ian remains in hospital (pictured together)
A sign was recently posted on the fence of the newly built Leongatha property (pictured) warning media they will be reported to police if they set foot inside the boundary
Ms Patterson has claimed the lethal lunch was made with a mixture of button mushrooms from a supermarket chain and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store in Melbourne.
She then portioned the meal onto plates and allowed her guests to pick their own.
Ms Patterson said she took the last remaining plate and ate a serving, later handing the leftovers to hospital toxicologists for examination.
She said her children also ate the beef wellington the following day, but with the mushrooms removed. Ms Patterson’s estranged husband Simon was also invited to the lunch but pulled out at the last minute.