By LIAM DURKIN

 

MUSHROOM lunch survivor, Ian Wilkinson has offered forgiveness to Erin Patterson.

The Korumburra pastor and sole survivor of the fatal July 2023 Leongatha lunch prepared by Patterson that killed his wife Heather, her sister Gail Patterson and husband Don Patterson, was one of many to issue Victim Impact Statements in Melbourne’s Supreme Court last week.

More than 100 people packed Courtroom 4 to hear from 28 victims on Monday, August 25.

Mr Wilkinson and his daughter Ruth Dubois (wheelchair bound) spoke in court.

Erin’s estranged husband Simon Patterson had his statement read out, as did Gail and Heather’s sister, Lynette Young and Don Patterson’s 100-year-old mother, Martha.

The mushroom murderer was present to hear of the pain she caused.

Patterson sat impassively in the dock, twisting a tissue as statements were read out.

Two days had been set aside for proceedings, but wrapped up inside the Monday hearing.

Mr Wilkinson was first to speak, fighting back tears as he spoke of his late wife of 44 years.

“She was wise and had skills that made up for my shortcomings,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“I continue to carry a heavy burden of grief over her untimely death. I only feel half-alive without her.”

Mr Wilkinson was present at Morwell’s Latrobe Valley Law Courts for the entire 10 weeks the trial took place.

Patterson was eventually found guilty by a jury after the marathon trial reached its verdict in early July.

A pastor at the Korumburra Baptist Church, Mr Wilkinson showed incredible benevolence when he offered the following sentiments during an emotional address:

“I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin,” he said.

“I have no power or responsibility to forgive harms done to others. For the murders of Heather, Gail and Don, I am compelled to seek justice.

“However, I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness to those harms done to me with full confession. I bear her no ill will.

“I am now no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my forgiveness.”

The Korumburra Baptist Church was where Patterson invited her in-laws to the lunch.

Simon was also invited, but declined.

“My prayer is that she will use her time in jail wisely to become a better person,” Wilkinson’s statement read.

Prosecutor Jane Warren said Patterson had engaged in an “egregious level of premeditation” when luring the guests to her Leongatha home for a beef wellington lunch.

The wellingtons were laced with death-cap mushrooms, residue of which was found at a nearby tip soon after. Fresh evidence revealed Patterson had tried to kill Simon with similar methods at least three times before.

Prosecutors are calling for Patterson, 50, to be jailed for life, without parole.

“It is a case so cold, so horrific, our submission is the offender is not deserving of mercy,” Ms Warren said.

Patterson’s lawyers conceded “grave offending” deserved a life sentence, but have called on the judge to sentence her to a non-parole period allowing for a possible release after the age of 80.

Patterson will be sentenced on Monday, September 8, 2025.