In her written statement, shared with Victoria police on Friday, Patterson aims to “clear up the record” following the unfortunate deaths of three individuals.
The Pattersons, both 70, have since died, as has Heather Wilkinson, 66. Ian Wilkinson, a 68-year-old Baptist church pastor, remains in a critical condition in hospital.
She prepared the meal on July 29 for her former in-laws and their guests, revealing that the mushrooms were a mix of button mushrooms from a supermarket and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store. However, Police said their symptoms were consistent with having eaten death cap mushrooms.
Patterson’s account clarifies that her children were not present at the lunch, contrary to previous reports. She also admitted she herself experienced hospitalisation after consuming the meal. She said she also went to hospital after the lunch with stomach pains and diarrhoea, and was transported by ambulance from the Leongatha hospital to the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne.
She expressed deep remorse, emphasising her lack of intent to harm her loved ones.
Patterson’s narrative sheds light on various details, including her actions before and after the lunch. She clarified that the meal was a beef wellington pie, served to herself and her four guests, and explained the sequence of events during the gathering.
Patterson also addressed media reports regarding a seized food dehydrator, admitting she had lied about disposing of it. Her estranged husband’s unexpected accusation further fuelled her actions.
The investigation into the deaths continues, with Victoria police yet to provide further updates.
