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14th August 2023
12:11pm BST
Just two weeks ago, Erin Patterson, invited her former in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, over for dinner along with Mrs Patterson's sister, Heather, and her husband Reverend Ian Wilkinson.
Just days after consuming the meal, all four guests became seriously ill.
Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Patterson's health rapidly deteriorated and they died on August 4. Mr Patterson died the following day.
Mr Wilkinson remains in hospital in critical condition and will require a liver transplant if he is expected to live.
The four had all consumed a beef wellington which contained dried mushrooms. Many believe that the meal was poisoned.
Police are currently investigating the peculiar case.
Erin Patterson's former husband, Simon Patterson, has since spoken out alleging that his ex-wife killed his parents.
Simon also claimed he believes she tried to poison him last year when he ate a meal and was rushed to hospital. In the hospital, doctors told Simon they didn't think he was going to make it. Thankfully he defied the odds and made a full recovery.
Now, Erin Patterson herself has spoken out, in a letter to the police.
The letter, which was obtained by ABC, reads: "I am now wanting to clear up the record because I have become extremely stressed and overwhelmed by the deaths of my loved ones.
"I am hoping this statement might help in some way. I believe if people understood the background more, they would not be so quick to rush to judgement. I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones. I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved."
Erin Patterson also admitted that she had lied to police following the discovery of a food dehydrator from a local tip.
In her letter to police, Patterson said she wasn't telling the truth when she told police she threw the dehydrator out 'a long time ago'.
Patterson told the police that she was 'discussing the food dehydrator' with her children at the hospital when her husband said: "Is that what you used to poison them?" That's when Patterson claims she rushed home and threw the dehydrator out.
In the letter Patterson also expressed her apparent love for her in-laws and claimed that she kept a good relationship long after her and Simon went their separate ways.
She said: "I had a deep love and respect for Simon's parents and had encouraged my children to spend time with their grandparents as I believed they were exceptional role models."
At the time of writing, Victoria Police say there is no update on the investigation but that they will release information as soon as they have it.
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