Mushroom poisoning chef charged with murder after family members suspiciously die after lunch

Three family members died after Patterson served a family lunch, including her former in-laws.

A fourth person who ate the meal survived.

The 49-year-old maintains her innocence and stressed she did not intentionally poison her guests on July 29.

The mother-of-two's former husband Simon Patterson was invited to attend but was unable to join relatives at the last minute.

Patterson's children appeared unharmed after the lunch.

Police in Victoria took her into custody on Thursday after toxicology reports indicated that the victims consumed deathcap mushrooms.

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Homicide squad Inspector Dean Thomas stressed the complexity of the case in a press conference, describing it as a tragedy that may "reverberate for years to come".

He added: "I cannot think of another investigation that has generated this level of media and public interest, not only here in Victoria, but also nationally and internationally."

Patteron's in-laws, 70-year-old's Gail and Don, died after being admitted to hospital.

Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, also passed away following the lunch.

Ian Wilkinson, 68, was in a critical condition but recovered after two months of treatment.

In a statement released in August, Patterson said: "I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones.

"I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people, whom I loved."

Her children ate some of the leftover Beef Wellington the following day but were not present at the lunch.

Patterson revealed the mushrooms had been scraped off the dish as the children do not like fungi.