Authorities have not confirmed what type of mushroom was involved. (File photo) Photo: Susan Murray
Homicide detectives are still trying to get to the bottom of a suspected mushroom poisoning at a family meal in Victoria's east which led to the deaths of three people, who are being mourned as "pillars" of their community.
Five people were taken to hospital on July 30 after eating a meal at a Leongatha home.
Sisters Heather Wilkinson and Gail Patterson died in hospital on Friday and Patterson's 70-year-old husband Don died on Saturday.
Ian Wilkinson, 68, from the local Baptist church in Korumburra, remains in a critical condition.
The local health authority, Gippsland Southern Health Service, has confirmed a fifth person was also taken to Leongatha Hospital but was discharged a short time later.
The Department of Health has confirmed mushrooms were involved and there is no public health risk.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas told Nine Radio the meal was prepared and served at the Leongatha home of a 48-year-old woman who was a relative of the victims.
He said police had searched the home and interviewed the woman on Saturday, before releasing her pending further enquiries.
Detective Inspector Thomas said he was unable to say whether any charges would be laid.
"We owe it to family, we owe it to these people who have passed away to understand what's happened," he said.
He said children were at the house at the time but did not eat the meal.
He said investigators were working very closely with the health department and toxicologists from Austin Health, which runs the Victorian Poisons Information Centre.
He said there was still not full confirmation that mushrooms were to blame, but added a warning to anyone foraging for wild mushrooms.
"You don't know what it is that you could be eating," he said.
"There will be a lot of people who may think they know, but they don't know, what is poisonous and what is not."
Korumburra grieves loss of 'cherished individuals'
On Sunday, the two families of the victims released a statement in which they said the tragic deaths had deeply affected them and the surrounding community.
"The past week has been a time of shock and grief for us all," the statement said. "Our beloved family members, who we will not name at this time out of respect for their privacy, were cherished individuals.
"They were parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and pillars of faith within our community.
"Their love, steadfast faith, and selfless service have left an indelible mark on our families, the Korumburra Baptist Church, the local community, and indeed, people around the globe."
The families expressed their gratitude to the community for their support.
They said they were assisting authorities with investigations.
"As we navigate this challenging time, we kindly request that the privacy of our family, church, and friends be respected. We need space to grieve both privately and as a community," they said.
Mayor urges caution for mushroom foragers
Korumburra and Leongatha have a small collective population of about 10,000 people.
About 80 locals attended a church service on Sunday morning, with extra chairs reportedly needed to be brought in for the candle-lighting ceremony and prayers.
South Gippsland Mayor Nathan Hersey said locals were supporting each other in the wake of the tragedy.
"Korumburra's a very tight-knit community, full of people who give so much, and those people who we've lost this week are no exception to that," Hersey said.
South Gippsland councillor Jenni Keerie said the town had "lost some kindness" but would pull together in the weeks ahead.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said she was receiving briefings from the health department on the deaths.
"We are always concerned when issues like this occur but this is a matter now being investigated by police," she said.
Thomas said she was not considering introducing laws to regulate wild mushroom foraging.
Hersey said mushroom foraging was very common in South Gippsland and was becoming more popular, with locals sharing tips on where find certain varieties and other produce through social media sites.
He said he had been foraging himself for about 10 years and it had become a regular social gathering with friends.
"I have been taught by people what to look for and am always extremely cautious about what is collected and what is left behind," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"If in doubt, leave it. Don't touch it. Don't even consider picking up a mushroom in our area or anywhere that you don't know what it is."
The Department of Health said its investigations were ongoing.
- This story was first published by ABC
