3 relatives dead after suspected mushroom poisoning at family lunch in Australia

Australian police are investigating a suspected mushroom poisoning after three relatives died and a fourth was in critical condition after a meal at their daughter-in-law’s home, authorities said.

On July 30, four people were taken to hospitals in Leongatha, Australia, after they got sick after a private meal the day before, Victoria Police said in a news release Saturday. 

Gail and Don Patterson, both 70, died at hospitals, The Associated Press reported. Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, also died, and her husband, Ian Wilkinson, 68, was in critical condition.

“Investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Leongatha,” police said. 

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Police interview woman who they believe cooked the meal

Police said they interviewed the woman they say cooked the meal, but didn’t get sick herself, AP reported. She was released “pending further enquiries,” police said.

“I didn’t do anything,” the woman told Network Nine outside her home Monday. “I loved them and I’m devastated they’re gone.”

The woman, who is separated from her husband, was hosting her in-laws. Police said her children were home during the meal, but they did not eat the same food.

Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said it wasn’t clear what type of mushrooms the victims had eaten, but their symptoms were consistent with those from a death cap, a deadly mushroom. 

“It could be very innocent but, again, we just don’t know,” Thomas said.

Police were still investigating.

Contributing: The Associated Press