Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #2

[Charlot123]

Questions that if answered I think would provide a lot more clarity IMO…

Did the children ever attend hospital to be checked over after eating the beef wellington?
Even though mushrooms were supposedly scraped off, death caps are so deadly that even residue could cause severe illness or death, and with the dish containing ‘lots of mushrooms’ how could she be sure she hadn’t accidentally missed one when scraping them off?

When did EP invite her guests to lunch? When did she inform them that they’d be eating beef wellington?

What were EP’s true feelings towards the 4 guests? Had she spoke of them to friends or family members? Did she hold any animosity towards them?

Why did Simon - who according to EP wanted to reconcile but she refused - ask ‘is that what you used to poison them?’ when she was discussing the dehydrator? Why did his mind immediately jump there?
That accusation IMO came from somewhere, he had to have his own suspicions pretty much straight away to ask that question. JMO but he must have had a valid reason to ask that.

What was the conversation EP was having with her children about the dehydrator in the hospital? What was being said?
Was it maybe along the lines of Simon maybe asking her to explain exactly how she prepared the beef wellington, what ingredients did she use? Perhaps she left out the dehydrator and one of her children asked ‘didn’t you use that thing you put the mushrooms in too?’ Possibly Simon, suspicious already at this point and upon realising EP could have left out part of the story, accused her of using the dehydrator in order to poison his parents? JMO

IMO it could be possible that EP had a vendetta against Simon and maybe his family too. A woman scorned could maybe, if an attempt on their exe’s life failed, decide to indirectly hurt them by harming/killing family members IMO. Maybe it was an act of the ultimate revenge. Simon surviving the possible attempt on his life and now having to live without two of the people he loved most in the world must be unbelievably painful. MOO

ETA - one more question - Who’s idea was it for the kids to go to the movies that day? Was it the children themselves who asked to go or did EP suggest they went and gave them the money to go with?

I can see the reasons for E. to wish such an outcome. This doesn’t mean she did it, of course.

- they parted ways with S. His family didn’t support her

- divorce means, dividing the property (and she had a huge property which came from her family. IMHO, that belonged to her, but we don’t know what the husband would have claimed in the divorce)

- divorce means, dividing the kids, sadly. This is where, on one side, there is her neighborhood that doesn’t know her well and views as a naive woman speaking of unicorns, and on the other, the whole congregation, with the pastor, who could potentially witness against her maternal qualities.

- and then, all that is still hearsay today, S thinking that she poisoned him. Could turn into a serious accusation during the divorce.

I can see her feeling alone against a whole group, it’s like a poisonous salamander that is cornered. “Cornered” is the reason.

One thing I don’t understand. Imagine them coming and telling her, we shall try to support you and S. staying together, for the sake of your kids. And she already fed them beef Wellington?

This is why I think that she must have known in advance what they’d say. Either S called and said, no chance we can be together, so I am not coming, or she understood that by phasing out, she made the divorce non-negotiable. Or, as I suspect, it was not beef that was poisoned, but coffee liquor or dessert. It was Simon’s idea, the dessicator, and she had to throw it out so that the police would chase the mushroom thread.

I’d really like to look at the dessert menu ))

 

[ralyla]

Wow, I've missed a lot! This article provides a good summary of what has happened so far:

A mushroom cook and her killer family lunch: The mysterious case gripping Australia

A bizarre case has enthralled people all across the globe – involving mushroom poisoning, a series of deaths, a tearful interview and now reports of a past mystery illness. Tara Cobham and Bevan Hurley report

www.independent.co.uk

 

[smucklecrumble]

Survivor of suspected mushroom poisoning was ‘experienced forager’ of wild fungi

‘Patterson family would pick mushrooms each year when they were in season,’ family friend claims

www.independent.co.uk

I don't believe it was an accident.

 

[jjenny]

I don't think she wanted to stay together with the hubby. I don't think he wanted to stay together either. But if she legally divorced him, presumably he would be entitled to a part of her inheritance from her parents. Perhaps she felt grandparents were interfering too much into her raising the kids and her relationship with the estranged husband.

 

[jjenny]

So why have the children been removed ?

Department of Child Protection don't do this on a whim. I'm stumped.

There is way more to this complex case than meets the eye.

She is a person of interest in three deaths. You don't think that's good enough to remove the children from her care?

 

[LacieL]

So why have the children been removed ?

Department of Child Protection don't do this on a whim. I'm stumped.

I think the wording around the children being removed was unclear and caused people to assume that DCP have taken them into care but as far as I know what was said was that they were removed from Erin’s care. They might be with dad or other family for all we know. I think it’s for the best that we (and especially the media) don’t know.

 

[nightrider17]

She stated that she stored the dried mushrooms at a home she owns in Melbourne, before bringing them to the home in Leongatha. Interesting. MOO

A mushroom cook and her killer family lunch: The mysterious case gripping Australia

A bizarre case has enthralled people all across the globe – involving mushroom poisoning, a series of deaths, a tearful interview and now reports of a past mystery illness. Tara Cobham and Bevan Hurley report

www.independent.co.uk

 

[JBowie]

She stated that she stored the dried mushrooms at a home she owns in Melbourne, before bringing them to the home in Leongatha. Interesting. MOO

A mushroom cook and her killer family lunch: The mysterious case gripping Australia

A bizarre case has enthralled people all across the globe – involving mushroom poisoning, a series of deaths, a tearful interview and now reports of a past mystery illness. Tara Cobham and Bevan Hurley report

www.independent.co.uk

I've quit believing anything that EP says.

(Media reports that she owns a property in Mt Waverley and that neighbors say it's rarely been occupied over a period of years.)

 

[JBowie]

Some interesting background on EP and her mother in this pay-walled article in The Australian.

There are no visitors for Erin Patterson, a shy, quirky, well-heeled and self-confessed liar.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/leongatha-poisoning-deaths-sound-of-silence-tortures-mushroom-meal-mum-erin-patterson/news-story/554b1668d6dae5e0e09d7b96a9019b7c

 

[bearbear]

I would be agitated in front of a group of relatives saying if they thought I was good enough or worthy.

But then I would never agree to a situation like that.

i would be furious, i feel sorry for her being in that situation and possibly throughout her marriage, its humiliating bullying behaviour

 

[Sjöberg]

But if she legally divorced him, presumably he would be entitled to a part of her inheritance from her parents.

Is this how the law works in Australia?
It is just that where I live, gifts and inheritances are not a part of marital assets (irrespective or the exact financial scheme you chose for your marriage), but always only personal assets that will not be divided in case of a divorce.

 

[Ellery84]

It suddenly came to my mind that we have to flip the situation and look at the other side as well.

- we read that E wanted to get back with S but he was not interested in it. Logically, it could be possible, but this information comes from S’s side.

- E. said that she was asked to nurse S. after his stint at the hospital, and she didn’t want to, but took him in for a while.

- So two things come to mind. E. said that she wasn’t interested in getting S. back, but more importantly, S. was not scared of E. at that time.

- So the theory about E. being the source of S’s poor health must have emerged later - whose idea was it?

- We don’t quite know S’s friends, I can only think of statistical probabilities. It is either, “each time I spend time with her, I don’t feel well afterwards”. Or, “Simon, each time you spend time with Erin, you don’t feel well afterwards”.

- definitely, neither of these theories originate from S’s parents. They trusted E. and ate her food.

- when they got ill, Simon rapidly accused E. or poisoning them. E’s response, indeed, indicates guilt. Not a normal response.

- But a big “intervention group”, indeed, makes me think that the topic of the meeting that day was serious. Custody issues? Quite possible. But, why now? There are many undertones in the situation.

- if S. pulled out of the meeting the last moment, then what does it, essentially, mean? He doesn’t care about the results? Has something more important to do? If he canceled for the fear of being poisoned, he’d probably not let his parents attend, either

I think that E. is culpable. But look at it from her side. Her parents have the money. She marries a man, has two kids, then the marriage dissipates, her parents die, she inherits, either a load or enough to comfortably invest, and her ex lives in her house, despite the opinion that she is not good enough for him. The situation is either very complex, or too simple, but I think I have a feeling where her anger comes from.

I think you’re right. I’m leaning towards the situation being complex.

It might be simple if it was an accidental poisoning, but taking into account Simon’s illness - I think things could be a lot more complicated than we even realise, and imo that is why the homicide police are taking their time with a thorough investigation.

Does anyone know the name of the Victorian Police task force on this case?

Thank you.

 

[Ellery84]

i would be furious, i feel sorry for her being in that situation and possibly throughout her marriage, its humiliating bullying behaviour

I absolutely agree.

 

[jjenny]

Is this how the law works in Australia?
It is just that where I live, gifts and inheritances are not a part of marital assets (irrespective or the exact financial scheme you chose for your marriage), but always only personal assets that will not be divided in case of a divorce.

"During​

If the inheritance was received during the relationship or marriage, its distribution depends on how the money was used as well as the intentions of the benefactor. For instance, if the money was used for family holidays, improving the family home and other day-to-day family expenses, what is remaining will be treated as a financial contribution by the spouse who received it."

What Happens to Inheritance During a Divorce Settlement in Australia?

Dividing marital assets, including inheritance, can often lead to conflict. How should inheritance be dealt with in a divorce settlement in Australia?

emfl.com.au

 

[kittythehare]

Is this how the law works in Australia?
It is just that where I live, gifts and inheritances are not a part of marital assets (irrespective or the exact financial scheme you chose for your marriage), but always only personal assets that will not be divided in case of a divorce.

They livd apart for years before formally separating in Jan '21.
I imagine the nuts and bolts of entitlements would have been sortd out at the formal separation.

 

[jjenny]

i would be furious, i feel sorry for her being in that situation and possibly throughout her marriage, its humiliating bullying behaviour

Furious enough for what she is suspected of?

 

[silvercrown]

Furious enough for what she is suspected of?

Who knows. Maybe she was made to feel that was throughout the entirety of the marriage and finally had enough. Just a maybe, not even really moo. But imo just in case

 

[JLZ]

I would be agitated in front of a group of relatives saying if they thought I was good enough or worthy.

But then I would never agree to a situation like that.

And if very agitated or anxious, I would not be able to eat any of the meal.

 

[kittythehare]

I'm seeing no hostility between her guests and herself.
There is no evidence of this is there apart from that tall tale told by the dm suggesting it was a mediation?
I do hope the police interview the person that made those statements.

 

[thunderwombat]

Where is this information about the luncheon turning into a discussion about EP not being worthy? I keep seeing it mentioned here and I can't find it anywhere else. It's coming off as victim blaming.