Sole survivor of Erin Patterson’s deadly mushroom lunch breaks his silence with eight-word message

The sole survivor of the ill-fated beef Wellington lunch has broken his silence a day after Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her ex-husband’s parents and aunt.

Patterson on Monday was found guilty of killing her parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, at her Leongatha home in Victoria’s Gippsland region almost two years ago. 

The mother-of-two was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson. 

The local church pastor, who spent weeks fighting for life in hospital while recovering from the lunch that killed his wife and in-laws, issued a personal statement shared in a noticeboard message outside the Korumburra Baptist Church on Tuesday.

Mr Wilkinson has been a pastor at the church for two decades. 

‘Life can be hard, but God is faithful,’ he’s quoted in the message.

The notice from the church leadership team also requested privacy during this ‘difficult time’.

‘We all greatly miss Heather, Don and Gail, whether we were friends for a short time or over 20 years. They were very special people who loved God and lived to bless others,’ it began.

‘It’s been a long journey, and we continue to lovingly support Ian, Simon and all the Wilkinson and Patterson family members through this difficult time.

‘We appreciate all the care from our local communities, special support from individuals and from the Baptist Union of Victoria, and the churches and people from all over the world who have been praying for us.’

Mr Wilkinson attended almost every day of the 10-week trial alongside his daughter Ruth Dubois.

That was until last week, when the jury retired to consider its verdict.

He wasn’t present at court when the jury delivered its verdict shortly after 2pm Monday, instead choosing to be with family and friends away from the limelight.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Victoria Police Homicide Squad told media after Monday’s verdict that the Patterson and Wilkinson families had asked for privacy and would not be giving any statements.

‘It’s very important that we remember we’ve had three people; three people died and we’ve had a person that nearly died and was seriously injured as a result; that has led to these charges,’ Detective Thomas said.

‘I ask that we acknowledge those people and not forget them. I ask also that the Patterson family and Wilkinson family have asked for privacy during this time.’

Notices outside the homes of Mr Wilkinson and Patterson’s estranged husband Simon reiterated those pleas, NCA Newswire reported.

‘Warning: entry to this property by any persons employed by or working on behalf of the media is not permitted,’ a sign at Mr Wilkinson’s home read.

‘Trespassers will be reported to the police.’

Mr Wilkinson was the second witness to front the jury and give evidence, after Patterson’s estranged husband Simon.

Seated in the witness box, Mr Wilkinson provided powerful and compelling evidence about not only how Patterson lured his family to lunch, but also how she went about killing them.

Mr Wilkinson claimed Patterson told lunch guests she had undertaken a diagnostic test that showed a spot on the scan that was a tumour.

He was challenged repeatedly on his evidence by Patterson’s defence team but never wavered from his original version of events.

Patterson had pleaded not guilty to the deaths and claimed the poisoning was accidental.

She had invited the group to her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023, where she served them individually wrapped Beef Wellingtons containing lethal mushrooms.

The killer initially feigned grief as the fatal lunch made headlines around Australia, and Victoria Police charged her over the deaths in November 2023.

A 12-person jury found Patterson guilty of three murders and one attempted murder at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon following a week of deliberation.

She now faces a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

Patterson will return to court for a pre-sentence hearing later this year.