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Victim of suspected mushroom poisoning Ian Wilkinson discharged from hospital after nearly two months

10:39 am on 24 September 2023

Three people died after eating a meal believed to have included poisonous death cap mushrooms. Photo: By Daniel Neal from Sacramento, CA, US (Amanita phalloides - Death Cap) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The family of one of the four victims of a suspected mushroom poisoning in Victoria's east in July say he has been released from hospital.

Ian Wilkinson, a local Baptist pastor in Korumburra, was hospitalised in a critical condition in August after a family lunch.

His wife Heather Wilkinson, along with Heather's sister Gail Patterson and her husband Don, died after eating a meal which is believed to have included poisonous death cap mushrooms.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the family said the 68-year-old's health had improved enough for him to leave hospital.

"We are pleased to announce that Ian Wilkinson has made significant progress in his recovery and was released from Austin Hospital on Friday," the statement said.

"This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family,

"The Wilkinson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their unwavering dedication and exceptional care that played a pivotal role in Ian's recovery."

The statement asked for privacy for the family, and asked members of the media to not approach the family or their homes.

The three deaths are being investigated by homicide detectives.

The woman who cooked the meal, Erin Patterson, remains a suspect but is not in custody.

In a written statement to police, Patterson said she bought fungi for the lunch at a supermarket and an Asian grocery store, and was herself hospitalised after eating the lunch.

- This story was originally published by the ABC