Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #8 *Arrest*

[drsleuth]

Hospital refrains from administering antidote​

By Judd Boaz​

As advised by toxicologists, Don was put onto a range of treatments including N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a liver-protecting drug used in cases of paracetemol overdose.

However, Dr Morgan says the hospital did not immediately administer silibinin, an antidote to death cap mushrooms.

"At that time we had no evidence that anyone else was unwell, or that anyone else was experiencing the metabolic acidosis," she tells the court.

Due to her symptoms and normal readings on VBG tests, Gail was not given as intensive medical care as Don, with doctors believing her illness to be food poisoning.

In the early hours of the morning, Dr Morgan contacted Leongatha Hospital and asked them to conduct VBG tests on Ian and Heather Wilkinson.

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

8m ago15.59 AEST
Doctor testifies on further details of Don Patterson’s medical tests

Morgan ordered repeat venous blood gas tests, after IV fluids were administered to Don. But the results showed there was a “persistent severe metabolic acidosis.”

She says she needed to rule out ischemic bowel disease – “dead bowel,” she says – to determine the cause of Don’s illness.

Morgan saw Don at 10pm. She agrees he appeared “relatively well” and did not have abdominal tenderness.

A CT scan of Don’s abdominal was performed which was normal and ruled out ischemic bowel, the court hears.

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[drsleuth]

By Judd Boaz​

At about 12:22am, fresh VBG tests showed that Gail was now also showing elevated lactate levels.

The emergency room doctor also contacted the toxicologist, who recommended a repeat of liver function tests, and the administering of NAC if necessary.

At 1:53am, Dr Morgan reviewed Gail and spoke to her at bedside, when she discovered that Gail had only eaten half her portion of beef Wellington at lunch.

"She looked unwell and clinically dehydrated," Dr Morgan says.

At 2:08am, the results of the new liver function test arrived, showing that her liver function was worsening over time.

Yet another test showed worsening signs, and lactate levels over 5.6.

It triggered Dr Morgan to move Gail to the ICU.

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

now07.10 BST

Doctors begin to suspect death cap mushrooms​

By about 10.30pm Morgan was in contact with the toxicology department who requested she find out more about what meal was served at the lunch.

I was concerned that this wasn’t just gastroenteritis caused by food poisoning. There was a discussion about the presentation and how it was quite severe, but the onset of symptoms was quite delayed.


This would be more indicative of a serious toxin syndrome as opposed to a food poisoning.

The toxicologist raised the possibility that if it was toxin poisoning, it was most likely due to the ingestion of the amanita phalloides - death cap mushroom.

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[katydid23]

12.37pm

A prayer, a tumour and a table of four fed guests​

By​

Ian Wilkinson continues telling the jury about the beef Wellington lunch and has come to the part where cook Erin Patterson tells her guests some medical news.

Erin told her guests she had cancer and was very concerned.

“She believed it was very serious, life-threatening,” Wilkinson recalls. She was anxious about telling the kids. She was asking our advice about that,” Ian said.

“That moment I thought: ‘This is the reason we’re being invited to the lunch’.

Ian said Erin spoke about a diagnostic test that showed a spot on the scan, which was a tumour.

“The conversation moved fairly quickly to the point of anxiety, which Erin had expressed, which was: ‘What do I do with the kids in this situation?’” Ian said.

The jury heard Don Patterson replied first and advised Erin that it would be best to be honest with the children. The other guests agreed.

“It felt like it was fairly short, maybe 10 minutes. But in a moment of tension like that, maybe more time passes than you think. But I would say it was a relatively short conversation,” Ian said.

The conversation ended when the guests saw Erin and Simon’s son and his friend arriving at the property through a window, the jury heard.

“I suggested that we pray, and I prayed a prayer, asking God’s blessing on Erin that, shall we get the treatment that she needed, that the kids would be okay, but she’d have wisdom in how she told the kids. Then the prayer concluded as the boys arrived in the room,” Ian said.

The group then moved to the end of the kitchen bench and continued conversing about Erin and Simon’s son’s flying lessons.

“It was during that conversation that we realised time had passed and it was time to get on the road and get home, because I had that three o’clock meeting,” Ian said.

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

I didn't realise they only lived 15 minutes away from EP's home. They said they left at 2:45 pm for a 3 pm meeting at their house.

 

[drsleuth]

And all this while Erin could have owned up to "foraging" mushrooms which would have given the medical staff some clue, but she denied it.

 

[drsleuth]

2m ago

Treatment ordered for Ian and Heather​

By Judd Boaz​

At 6.50am the next morning, after conversations with the toxicology department, it was suggested that doctors begin administering the antidote silibinin and the antibiotic rifampicin.

The court hears that meanwhile, Ian and Heather were still at the Leongatha Hospital and had continued vomiting all night.

Dr Morgan says doctors at Leongatha Hospital were instructed to start Ian and Heather Wilkinson on NAC, and an antibiotic.

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

5m ago16.10 AEST

Doctors began to suspect death cap mushrooms by 10:30pm, court hears​

By about 10.30pm Morgan was in contact with the toxicology department who requested she find out more about what meal was served at the lunch.

I was concerned that this wasn’t just gastroenteritis caused by food poisoning. There was a discussion about the presentation and how it was quite severe, but the onset of symptoms was quite delayed.


This would be more indicative of a serious toxin syndrome as opposed to a food poisoning.

The toxicologist raised the possibility that if it was toxin poisoning, it was most likely due to the ingestion of amanita phalloides – or death cap mushrooms.

Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides). Photograph: Tom May/Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[drsleuth]

1m ago

Dr Morgan concludes her testimony​

By Judd Boaz​

Dr Morgan tells the court she received a call from a doctor, Chris Webster, at Leongatha.

He told her Erin Patterson had presented to hospital with gastro symptoms and had discharged herself.

He needed to call police about it — and Dr Morgan suggested Erin go straight to the Austin Hospital, which was where Don and Gail were headed due to the severity of their conditions.

This concludes her testimony.

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-cook/inside-the-courtroom-mushroom-cook-erin-patterson-faces-court-for-day-6-of-murder-trial/live-coverage/5816904d38fbd514ca6e801f65e42d8b?amp#scroll-to-31445703

'Sweaty, lightheaded, faint': Don's intense symptoms in hospital​

Doctor Beth Morgan has entered the witness box.
She has a laptop with her which the jury has been told so she can refer to medical records.
Dr Morgan was a medical registrar at Monash Health, which is a junior doctor working under the supervision of a consultant physician, at the time of the poisonings.
Her role involved taking referrals from the emergency department and conducting assessments to determine the level of care required.
She was working a night shift and was the doctor on call at Dandenong hospital when Don and Gail were admitted.
“(Don’s) initial history was documented as 30 to 40 episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea that had started since midnight the night prior,” she said.
“Donald was also reported to be quite sweaty and lightheaded and displaying symptoms of feeling very faint.”
No blood was found in vomit or stool samples.
Dr Morgan said he had a borderline high heart rate and “somewhat low” blood pressure for a patient who had a history of high blood pressure.
His breath rate was normal, as was his oxygen saturation.
Dr Morgan has been asked about medical terms and their definitions.
The jury is taking a short break.

Don's shock medical results days before death revealed to court​

Dr Morgan is continuing her evidence by explaining Don’s medical test results.
The venous blood gas test showed he had low PH levels, meaning the blood was very acidic.
“This was probably being driven by a low bicarbonate … which is one of the ions we were describing before, or one of the electrolytes, as well as the fact that there was an elevated lactate.”
Dr Morgan earlier said lactate is present when tissues are not receiving enough oxygen or cells are not metabolising correctly.
His blood examination showed his haemoglobin, which is attached to red cells to carry oxygen, was quite high.
“I would put it down to the fact that Donald was quite severely dehydrated in the setting of the severe fluid losses from diarrhoea and vomiting,” she said.
His electrolyte levels including sodium, potassium and chloride were abnormal, as were his urea and creatinine levels.
Dr Morgan said the results made her concerned about kidney damage.
A liver function test showed his aspartate aminotransferase level – which is an enzyme primarily found in the liver – was extremely high.
“Normal for an AST is between five and 35. Donald’s AST was 583,” she said.
Donald started intravenous fluids to try correct some of the imbalances, but doctors were concerned severe gastro was unlikely to explain the severity of his symptoms.

 

[drsleuth]

Key Event
2m ago

Last witness postponed, court adjourns​

By Judd Boaz​

Nanette Rogers is keen to call up another witness but Justice Beale suggests wrapping up proceedings for the day after a particularly information-dense session.

The court hears the witness, Mark Douglas, was the surgical registrar of toxicology on-call at the time when Don and Gail were admitted to hospital.

However, due to scheduling, his testimony may now have to wait until later into the trial.

Justice Beale adjourns court for the day.

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

I noticed Mr Mandy didn't cross ex any of the medical witnesses........

 

[MrJ]

I really hope SP and the children are being supported right now. The details of their grandparents' last moments are awful

 

[drsleuth]

Key Event
1m ago

What we learned today​

By Judd Boaz​

Today's proceedings in the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial followed two major throughlines.

Firstly, Ian Wilkinson, the only surviving member of the July 29 lunch besides Erin Patterson, gave his testimony.

Secondly, medical professionals who provided care for Donald and Gail Patterson as they made their way through the health system gave evidence in court.

Plus, the manager of the store where the prosecution say Erin Patterson bought her dehydrator made an appearance.

Here's what we learned:

1. 1.Ian and Heather Wilkinson were excited to receive an invite to the lunch. Ian said while he and Erin were not particularly close, they thought the lunch would improve their relationship
2. 2.Erin Patterson was "very reluctant" about letting her lunch guests look into her pantry. Ian says he did not go look in the pantry out of fear of embarrassing his host.
3. 3.Ian confirmed previous testimony from Simon Patterson about the plates used at lunch. He remained adamant under questioning from the defence that Erin had eaten off a "rusty" coloured plate, while the other guests ate off grey plates.
4. 4.Ian also told the court that Gail had not finished her portion of beef Wellington. He said the servings were individually wrapped "like a pasty", and that Don had finished Gail's serving.
5. 5.The last thing Ian Wilkinson remembers is being given a charcoal-infused drink at hospital for treatment. Questioning revealed there were several weeks he could not recall following his illness.
6. 6.Don Patterson had extremely abnormal test readings when admitted to hospital, while Gail initially showed much milder signs of illness. The couple were put on treatments to protect their liver, but medical staff initially held back from administering a special antidote for death cap poisoning due to lack of evidence.

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[arrogantcat]

What an horrific end for these poor people. It is akin to torturing them before death.

At any point she could have confessed to “foraging” the mushrooms and had a chance at turning this around and saving them. It’s chilling to think she watched them die slowly over several days and kept the information to herself.

 

[Detechtive]

Not sure if already posted but I just read this..

With good supportive care, the mortality for amatoxin poisoning may be reduced from 50-60% to less than 5%.

Surely even in the event it was accidental, the lack of Erin’s candour and honesty is now grounds for at least manslaughter?

 

[whitelilac]

Reading this awful testimony, I can hardly breathe.
Those poor victims, what they went through, and after looking forward to this lunch, happy to be invited. It's heart wrenching.
If this woman indeed planned this horror (and I lean to believing she did, given what we've learned so far), she's an utter monster. Despicable.

 

[katydid23]

28m ago13.10 AEST
Ian Wilkinson says he saw meal served at fatal lunch come from an oven tray

Mandy turns to Ian’s evidence about how Erin placed the beef wellington lunch on plates.

“Can I suggest to you, you saw them come from a tray, possibly an oven tray,” Mandy says.

After some back and forth, Mandy takes Ian to his evidence to police in September 2023 while at Austin hospital where he said the beef Wellingtons were possibly served on an oven tray.

Ian agrees this is what he told the police officers. He says this has jogged his memory.

29m ago13.11 AEST
A quick amendment, readers. Today’s crown prosecutor is Jane Warren, not Sarah Lenthall as previously stated.

26m ago13.14 AEST
The court has adjourned for a lunch break.

The trial will recommence at 2.15pm when Ian Wilkinson’s cross-examination will continue.

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

I know the defense is working hard trying to paint a picture that anyone could have taken any plate and any seat they wanted----but I think that is pointless. Obviously EP was not leaving it up to chance.

It was not coincidental that only 4 of the 7 people who ate that meal were poisoned. And Erin wasn't one of them. She made sure of that. It wasn't happenstance. IMO

 

[drsleuth]

What an horrific end for these poor people. It is akin to torturing them before death.

At any point she could have confessed to “foraging” the mushrooms and had a chance at turning this around and saving them. It’s chilling to think she watched them die slowly over several days and kept the information to herself.

Yes & if found guilty should be an aggravating factor at sentencing!

 

[Detechtive]

Yes & if found guilty should be an aggravating factor at sentencing!

Essentially it’s an alleged mass murder event. If found guilty, I hope the punishment is severe and until her own death.