Wild mushrooms have killed three people in Leongatha and hospitalised one.
Homicide Squad investigations have been launched into the deaths of three people in Leongatha, South Gippsland after they ingested poisonous mushrooms.
Four people were hospitalised on July 30th due to becoming ill after eating a meal the day before, and the Department of Health has confirmed that wild mushrooms were the cause, but that there is no public health risk.
68-year-old Reverand Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church from Gippsland, is still in hospital, but his 66-year-old wife Heather, along with her 70-year-old sister, and her sister’s husband, sadly died on the 4th and 5th of August.
Victoria Police say officers carried out a search warrant at a Leongatha property on Saturday.
A 48-year-old Leongatha woman was interviewed by detectives but has since been released, with further enquiries pending.
The Department of Health said that investigations are ongoing at this point.
A spokesperson said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the patients’ family for their loss.”
South Gippsland Mayor Nathan Hersey told Today that the community is supporting each other in their grief and hoping for the best outcome for Wilkinson.
“We have had a significant loss to the Korumburra community this week,” Hersey said.
“Many people in our community are grieving the loss of three very important, much-loved and very well-respected people in our community.
“We are really wondering why is this happening to people who have been so integral and good and great for our community, but at the moment, we just have to let the investigation continue and provide whatever support we can to the family.”
Dr Teresa Lebel, a mushroom expert, said that some mushrooms can kill, and warned people never to go out and collect them in the wild.
“Basically it’s a Russian roulette that may have happened,” Lebel said.
“Other people may have been affected to some degree but not received as much of the toxin.
“For both the Cortinarius and the Amanita (mushroom) it’s a piece the size of a 10 cent coin.
“A 20 cent coin is sufficient to kill a person.”
