Erin Patterson speaks to the media outside her home in Leongatha, Victoria, Australia in a screengrab obtained on November 3, 2023, AAP/Nine News via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Patterson, 49, is charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder, according to court documents.
Local media reported Don and Gail Patterson were the parents of Erin Patterson's ex-husband Simon Patterson, who was also present at the lunch.
The mysterious deaths have gripped Australia, where deaths from eating mushrooms are relatively rare.
"Anyone who collects and consumes wild mushrooms of unknown species is putting themselves at risk of potential poisoning and serious illness," the state's health department said.
Persons:
Erin Patterson, Patterson, Don Patterson, Gail, Heather Wilkinson, Don, Gail Patterson, Erin Patterson's, Simon Patterson, Ian, Dean Thomas, Alasdair Pal, Raju Gopalakrishnan
Organizations:
Nine, ZEALAND, Melbourne . Local, Police, Thomson
Locations:
Leongatha, Victoria, Australia, AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY, Melbourne ., Sydney