Page 34 | The mushroom poisoning in Vic.... I am gripped

Dustyblue · 2023-08-09T03:58:28+00:00

This has been all over the news. I live one town over from Leongatha and believe me, it's the talk of the towns. We have loads of mushrooms around our place but wouldn't dream of eating them. About 90% of foraged mushrooms in Australia are poisonous. Then again, you do get groups of people who think they know what they're doing, and perhaps they do. Meanwhile this is suss-as. [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-09/poisonous-mushroom-deaths-victoria-leongatha-explainer/102703430 Three people died from suspected mushroom poisoning after sharing a meal. Here's what we know - ABC News]]

Janieforever · 15/08/2023 12:16

TerrorAustralis · 15/08/2023 12:15

Good grief, are you saying she murdered her own mother? Who else needs to be added to the body count?

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I think uou misread 😂

velvetandsatin · 15/08/2023 12:39

IveHadItUpToHere · 15/08/2023 11:20

If the DCs had read Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings then there are lots of death, headstones, swords, etc. I think it's really shitty of the media to be pulling the DCs into it like this.

Just checked the ex illness story again. The Times said a 'friend' leaked that the ex thought he'd been poisoned but when the ex was asked to confirm he'd said that, he didn't. There was another article (which I can't find) which went into more detail about the ex's illness from a medical perspective (eg iirc it was his gut and bowel that was affected not his kidneys, etc) and explained how his symptoms and treatment had no relation to what happens with mushroom poisoning.

The Times and Sky have also both said the lunch wasn't about the couple trying to get back together.

It seems there's a lot of mixed information and that certain parts of the media are basically printing anything any 'source/friend' says with no corroboration at all. Like a PP said, there's lots of echoes of the Christopher Jefferies' case in the approach to reporting.

"News.com.au has unearthed comments made by Simon that indicate he was still recovering from his time in hospital more than a month after he became ill.

He put a call out in the local community Facebook group on July 7 asking for recommendations for a physiotherapist in the area.

“I’m needing some strengthening rehab after a stint in hospital, and looking for a good physio to work with regularly,” he wrote.

In response to one person saying, “Thank God you’re OK Simon”, the local photographer said he was “doing great” but still needed to regain strength in his arms.

Simon revealed further details about his illness in a post to his local basketball group at the end of June, 2022."

Mushroom chef Erin Patterson’s ex Simon’s call out to locals after mystery illness | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

And so on. The press, such as it is, dug up his posts. Some "friend" claimed in another publication that he thought at the time Erin has tried to poison him with something as he felt sick every time after he'd seen her; then later, other friends said Simon had never thought Erin was responsible for his hospitalisation.

But the press dug up the old FB posts, initially.

Mushroom chef’s ex reaches out to locals after almost dying

The ex-husband of the woman who served up a deadly lunch to his family members put a call out to the local community after nearly dying from a mystery illness last year.

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/mushroom-chefs-exhusband-reaches-out-to-locals-after-nearly-dying-from-mystery-illness-last-year/news-story/7c5bea17efbb5046040f9dac4251888d

HateTheView · 15/08/2023 13:34

Really don't think the kids drawing coffins and death pictures is that bad! My kids would probably do it even more and make the drawings more elaborate and detailed if they knew it shocked people! 🤣🙈

The only thing that does seem a bit strange is that it was left there. You would have thought it would have been painted over before the house was sold.

Also not sure if the drawings can 100% be attributed to EP's children, can they?

velvetandsatin · 15/08/2023 14:06

The tradie took a photo of it before he painted over it.

"The 46-year-old said he was struck by the multiple references to death, and particularly the tombstones.

“That sort of stood right out. It was eerie. I think I put four coats of primer undercoat and two coats of wall paint to cover all that texta.”

The tradie said he snapped the picture and apart from showing a few mates, didn’t think of it again until the fatal mushroom poisonings hit the headlines."

"Another tradesperson who saw the wall said it was “just not something you would typically expect children of that age to be drawing on the wall”.

“You’d think they’d be drawing flowers and unicorns, not gravestones and death,” he said. “I was surprised, but at the time I didn’t think anything more of it. It’s a bit weird but I see weird sh*t every day.”

His understanding was that Ms Patterson’s explanation for the drawings was “she’s gone out or something and the kids were there and had done that while they were out”.

Mushroom poisoning: ‘Death wall’ in Erin Patterson’s home | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

So, yes, it was definitely her (former) house, and it was painted prior to sale.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 15/08/2023 14:11

That's very eerie. You wonder what went on with those poor kids.

TerrorAustralis · 15/08/2023 14:12

His understanding was that Ms Patterson’s explanation for the drawings was “she’s gone out or something and the kids were there and had done that while they were out”.

The “understanding” of some unnamed person who has never met her and has only a very tangential connection to her is not evidence that she lived there or her children did the drawings.

ImustLearn2Cook · 15/08/2023 14:15

I worked with children and I have seen all sorts of drawings. They don’t all draw rainbows and unicorns.

Some kids do draw some disturbing pictures. Maybe they are making sense of the world around them. Their maternal grandma had died. Maybe, they were affected by the funeral and burial at a cemetery.

velvetandsatin · 15/08/2023 14:27

TerrorAustralis · 15/08/2023 14:12

His understanding was that Ms Patterson’s explanation for the drawings was “she’s gone out or something and the kids were there and had done that while they were out”.

The “understanding” of some unnamed person who has never met her and has only a very tangential connection to her is not evidence that she lived there or her children did the drawings.

For real? Does no-one actually read the articles referenced in this thread before trying to pick holes in stated facts? It has been clearly stated it was her house, she owns a number of properties in the area. It was painted pre-sale. All reported in that article that has now been linked at least twice.

Janieforever · 15/08/2023 15:03

ImustLearn2Cook · 15/08/2023 14:15

I worked with children and I have seen all sorts of drawings. They don’t all draw rainbows and unicorns.

Some kids do draw some disturbing pictures. Maybe they are making sense of the world around them. Their maternal grandma had died. Maybe, they were affected by the funeral and burial at a cemetery.

I think, gently, everyone really understands you’re all good with it and think kids draw this, but you must recognise this is a parenting forum, and many people are parents, or people with experience of children, who are reacting to the drawings, in the now context, of potential murder, and expressing concern. It’s ok for them to have a different view to you, no? They aren’t going to change their minds.

Bruisername · 15/08/2023 15:05

I actually think it could be quite healthy for kids to be free to express their grief and confusion about death through art in a non judgemental environment. Find it more odd that they were allowed to draw on the wall.

also, would dad not also have been living with them then so not all on her?

I do think this pulls the kids into the story a bit too much - it’s not just questioning parenting but also the kids mentality.

give the photos to the police but he has no need to sell them

IveHadItUpToHere · 15/08/2023 15:09

Tbh the fact it is a parenting forum is what makes it so disturbing that there are posts demonising the DCs. It shows a lack of understanding of childhood development.
As for the tradie saying DCs draw flowers and unicorns - that's just sexist bullshit. Add to that, these DCs are going to be traumatised no matter the outcome ie whether their relatives were accidentally or deliberately poisoned. I'd expect adults, never mind parents, to have a bit more consideration for what those DCs are going through and what they may read on here about themselves if they ever search the case. The fact this is a parenting website means there should be more consideration towards DCs not less imo.

ImustLearn2Cook · 15/08/2023 15:17

Janieforever · 15/08/2023 15:03

I think, gently, everyone really understands you’re all good with it and think kids draw this, but you must recognise this is a parenting forum, and many people are parents, or people with experience of children, who are reacting to the drawings, in the now context, of potential murder, and expressing concern. It’s ok for them to have a different view to you, no? They aren’t going to change their minds.

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Yes @Janieforever it is a parenting forum and I am a parent. So, if you don’t mind, I am going to continue to be a part of Mumsnet community. And I am going to feel free to post from my own personal experience. Just like anyone else can. But unlike you I am not going to personally attack people who post here and make nasty assumptions about them. DFOD 🙄

TerrorAustralis · 15/08/2023 15:18

velvetandsatin · 15/08/2023 14:27

For real? Does no-one actually read the articles referenced in this thread before trying to pick holes in stated facts? It has been clearly stated it was her house, she owns a number of properties in the area. It was painted pre-sale. All reported in that article that has now been linked at least twice.

Show quote history

Yes, I’ve read the thread and the articles. It’s not hard to understand that in Australia many people aspire to own investment properties. It’s common and the government (unfortunately) actively encourages it through tax breaks. Some of those properties that she owns will be rented out. There’s no advantage to owning multiple properties if they are not rented. Nowhere in that article does it categorically state that she lived in the house.

ImustLearn2Cook · 15/08/2023 15:21

Bruisername · 15/08/2023 15:05

I actually think it could be quite healthy for kids to be free to express their grief and confusion about death through art in a non judgemental environment. Find it more odd that they were allowed to draw on the wall.

also, would dad not also have been living with them then so not all on her?

I do think this pulls the kids into the story a bit too much - it’s not just questioning parenting but also the kids mentality.

give the photos to the police but he has no need to sell them

100% agree. Those kids have just lost their grandparents and their great aunt. They really don’t need this kind of scrutiny.

ImustLearn2Cook · 15/08/2023 15:31

IveHadItUpToHere · 15/08/2023 15:09

Tbh the fact it is a parenting forum is what makes it so disturbing that there are posts demonising the DCs. It shows a lack of understanding of childhood development.
As for the tradie saying DCs draw flowers and unicorns - that's just sexist bullshit. Add to that, these DCs are going to be traumatised no matter the outcome ie whether their relatives were accidentally or deliberately poisoned. I'd expect adults, never mind parents, to have a bit more consideration for what those DCs are going through and what they may read on here about themselves if they ever search the case. The fact this is a parenting website means there should be more consideration towards DCs not less imo.

Eloquently put. And a good reminder. Thank you.

stealtheatingtunnocks · 15/08/2023 15:46

Posted this on the wrong thread. Wrong woman doing wrong things in the wrong way!

The mushroom poisoning in Vic.... I am gripped

oakleaffy · 15/08/2023 16:07

ImustLearn2Cook · 15/08/2023 14:15

I worked with children and I have seen all sorts of drawings. They don’t all draw rainbows and unicorns.

Some kids do draw some disturbing pictures. Maybe they are making sense of the world around them. Their maternal grandma had died. Maybe, they were affected by the funeral and burial at a cemetery.

A 7 yr old boy drew some really strange things when his dad left
Swords raining down from the sky
It was very sad.
A little girl wrote a heart rending bit of prose about the pain of life. (8)
Kids probably use drawings as a way to get stuff out of their systems.

What is more concerning- they left the children‘s names in full view in the photo.

The cellar at 125 Cromwell St U.K. had really cold looking kids drawings / paintings in it-
Kids there were definitely under severe stress and worse.

oakleaffy · 15/08/2023 16:09

Wonder why Erin left those drawings there.
You’d think they’d be at least covered over or cleansed off.

Bruisername · 15/08/2023 16:11

From the article it seems that the estate agent she employed to sell the place arranged for it to be painted over. On her request presumably

although replace she with they as I believe she was still with the husband at the time

and this assumes it wasn’t tenants kids who did it? Does it say for sure they lived there or did they just own it

oakleaffy · 15/08/2023 16:15

Bruisername · 15/08/2023 16:11

From the article it seems that the estate agent she employed to sell the place arranged for it to be painted over. On her request presumably

although replace she with they as I believe she was still with the husband at the time

and this assumes it wasn’t tenants kids who did it? Does it say for sure they lived there or did they just own it

There are two children’s names in the graffiti
A girl and boy, plus some dates.

I doubt very much children would put poisoned mushrooms in a meal, as has been implied by some people!

TempName247 · 15/08/2023 18:05

It has now been reported that Erin and Simon are both experienced in foraging mushrooms locally

Whinge · 15/08/2023 18:15

TempName247 · 15/08/2023 18:05

It has now been reported that Erin and Simon are both experienced in foraging mushrooms locally

The only source I can find for that is the Daily Mail which doesn't fill me with confidence. Even more as as they claim

'It’s very common for people to go mushroom picking around that area.'

Which seems unlikely, as mushroom foraging really doesn't seem like something that many Australians participate in.

alwaysonadiet1 · 15/08/2023 18:31

TempName247 · 15/08/2023 18:05

It has now been reported that Erin and Simon are both experienced in foraging mushrooms locally

The whole Patterson family are keen foragers according to the Daily Mail article. The in-laws could have taken the mushrooms with them as a starter....

alwaysonadiet1 · 15/08/2023 18:37

Erin Patterson would have mentioned that though...

Whinge · 15/08/2023 18:42

alwaysonadiet1 · 15/08/2023 18:37

Erin Patterson would have mentioned that though...

Exactly. I've no idea where the story has come from, and can't see it being reported anywhere else, but I really think the family foraging is a lie. It's just not something many people in Australia do, and in the last few weeks Erin would have mentioned it to help take the suspicion off her.