THE sole survivor of a poisonous mushroom lunch has been released from hospital weeks after three others died.
Ian Wilkinson, 68, was allegedly poisoned by Erin Patterson in Leongatha, Australia, on July 29 and had been in a coma ever since.
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His family confirmed on Saturday he was now making “significant progress” at home after being discharged from Melbourne‘s Austin Hospital more than 50 days after the tragedy.
“This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family,” they said.
“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 medical team’s expertise and compassion have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey.”
The family also thanked members of the church and other loved ones in the community.
“This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community,” they said.
Ian was one of four guests at the lunch at Erin’s, with her former in-laws Gail and Don Patterson attending as well as Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, who was Ian’s wife.
Erin’s ex-husband Simon Patterson was allegedly meant to join them, but pulled out at the last minute.
All four became violently ill after eating the meal, with Heather, Gail and Don all passing away.
Ian was hospitalised in a critical condition and required a liver transplant.
Police launched an investigation into the deaths, which were allegedly the result of a beef wellington made with poisonous death cap mushrooms.
Erin had also provided a written statement to investigators, which was later obtained by ABC.
In it, she revealed she was hospitalised after the lunch with bad stomach pains and diarrhoea, put on a saline drip and given a “liver protective drug”.
She said she served the meal and allowed the guests to choose their own plates – and she also ate a portion of the beef wellington herself.
The mushrooms were a mixture of button mushrooms from a major supermarket chain, and dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store in Melbourne months before, she added.
The mum-of-two also admitted lying to cops when she told them she had dumped a food dehydrator at a local tip “a long time ago” – which was later seized.
However, she denied murdering her guests, saying she had “no reason” to hurt them.
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