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Melbourne teen poisoned in Laos farewelled

Melbourne teenager Holly Morton-Bowles has been farewelled in an emotional funeral service. Grieving friends and family gathered at Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday to honour the 19-year-old, who died alongside her friend after being poisoned in Laos. Holly and Bianca Jones were among six people who drank methanol-laced cocktails in the town of Vang Vieng in Laos in November while on a gap year holiday. Beaumaris Secondary College Acting Principal Peter Bartlett read a statement on behalf of Morton-Bowles' parents Shaun and Samantha, and brother James. "We would like to thank the people of Australia, Canada and the rest of the world for the outpouring of love, support, and compassion during this extremely difficult time," Bartlett said. "Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort for our family." "Today is a profoundly significant day for our family as we come together to celebrate Holly's life and spirit. Holly was loved and adored by so many people, and today is a reflection on her life, however she will remain forever in our hearts." "We would like to thank all those that have helped in the preparation of today. We kindly ask that our family be given the space to grieve privately on this deeply emotional day." "This is the most difficult time of our lives, and we thank you for respecting our privacy." The families of both Morton-Bowles and Jones have asked people to donate to the girls' GoFundMe in lieu of flowers. Bianca Jones was farewelled on Friday at Mentone Girl's Grammar, in Mentone, the same school she had graduated from last year, with principal Natalie Charles reading out a statement from the Jones family, thanking the public for their "outpouring of love, support and compassion". Image credits: Nine

Caring

Eight people detained over Laos methanol poisoning

Eight men have been detained over the suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos that killed six tourists, including two Australians. Police in Laos told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-26/laos-methanol-poisoning-detained/104650642" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> that detained men were staff and management of the Nana Backpackers hostel, where Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles were staying when they fell sick. The two 19 year olds had consumed the alcoholic beverages in the party town of Vang Vieng, and later died in seperate hospitals in Thailand. Four other tourists from Denmark, the UK and the US have also died. Police in Laos last week forcibly shut down the Nana hostel, where five of the six victims who died were staying. They questioned staff, ranging in ages from 23 to 47, including the bartender and owner, while the Laos government vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The arrests come as the bodies of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles arrived home in Australia on Tuesday night, with Bianca's father Mark fronting the media at Melbourne Airport to welcome the news of the arrests. "We want to grieve. We miss our daughters desperately. I was happy to hear there's been some movement over in Laos," he said. "I would continue to urge our government to continue to pursue whomever. We will make every effort we can to help raise awareness of methanol poisoning." Image credits: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Legal

Foreign victims killed in mass methanol poisoning identified

The victims of the mass methanol poisoning in Laos have been identified, with the death toll now rising to six. Danish women Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American man James Louis Hutson, 57, were among those who died after a group of backpackers consumed alcoholic drinks spiked with methanol in the party town of Vang Vieng. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, had already been named as two Melbourne teenagers who lost their lives last week while on their gap year, along with British woman Simone White, 28. Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel, which has been closed since November 14th, just days after the incident occurred. It is understood that the two Danish and American victims were also staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel. Ms Coyman and Ms Sorensen were reportedly found unconscious on the bathroom floor on November 13th after they had been out drinking the night before. Mr Hutson was reportedly found unconscious in his bed on November 13th after staff noticed he had not come out of his room. All three tourists died in the following days in hospital. Dr Yaher, who first treated Ms Bowles in Vang Vieng, claimed she went from a state of confusion to a coma in just half an hour after consuming the methanol-laced beverage. The doctor told The Times she was confused and fatigued, and didn’t know what had happened when she arrived at his small one-storey hospital at 2am. “We treated her symptomatically,” he told the publication. “We put her on an IV drip and gave her vitamins. But after 30 minutes she had a seizure and went into a coma. I was so surprised. We gave her CPR, because she had difficulty breathing, and we intubated her and referred her to Vientiane.” The Laos government released a statement on Saturday expressing sympathy and condolences to the families of the tourists who died, saying an investigation was underway and promised to “bring the perpetrators to justice according to the law”. Image credits: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Father's emotional plea after death of his daughter from methanol poisoning

The grieving father of 19-year-old Bianca Jones, who tragically died after consuming methanol-laced cocktails in Laos, has issued a plea to ensure his daughter’s death was not in vain. Bianca and her friend Holly Bowles had been travelling around south-east Asia on a gap year trip when they consumed the deadly drinks in the party town of Vang Vieng, a popular tourist area about 130km north of Laos capital, Vientiane. Both Bianca and Holly were rushed to seperate hospitals in Thailand, and passed away last week. Speaking publicly for the first time about the tragedy, Bianca’s father Mark Jones, said his daughter’s “lust for life and adventure” had “cruelly been cut short”. “Our daughter was on the trip of a lifetime with one of her best mates,” he said. “This was meant to be a trip full of lifelong memories, and was to be the first of many. Bianca wanted to explore the world, meet new friends, lead and create change for good.” Following the deaths of the two young women, an outpouring of sympathy flooded in from around Australia including from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while hundreds attended a vigil held in the women’s honour in Melbourne on Saturday. Mr Jones thanked Australian government for its support but made a plea to authorities in Laos. “I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Laos government to investigate this to the fullest extent, to make sure this incident doesn’t happen again,” he said. “We can’t have the passing of our daughter … not lead to change to protect others. Young men and women should be able to travel, create their own life experiences and be safe." “We’ll forever miss our beautiful girl and hope her loss of life has not been in vain.” The Laotian government has promised to bring perpetrators to justice after the mass poisoning that has killed six tourists, including the two Australian women. Image credits: Nine News / Facebook

Travel Trouble

What is methanol? How does it get into drinks and cause harm?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-musgrave-1808">Ian Musgrave</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-21/bianca-jones-dead-laos-methanol-poisoning/104630384">has died</a> and her friend Holly Bowles remains severely ill in hospital in Thailand, after experiencing suspected methanol poisoning while they were travelling in Laos. The pair are reportedly among <a href="https://x.com/Smartraveller/status/1858850858227954118">several foreign nationals</a> who became ill after unknowingly consuming alcoholic drinks containing methanol in the south-east Asian country. So what is methanol, and how does it make people sick? <h2>Methanol versus ethanol</h2> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol">Methanol</a> is an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_(chemistry)">alcohol</a>, like the familiar <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol">ethanol</a> we consume in alcoholic beverages. Like ethanol, methanol is a colourless, flammable liquid. It has a smell similar to ethanol as well. But the two have different chemical structures. Methanol is composed of only one carbon atom, while ethanol has two. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=300&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/633188/original/file-20241120-15-i7wr12.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=377&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Models of methanol and ethanol depicted with balls and sticks." /><figcaption>Methanol (left) and ethanol (right) have differing chemical structures. Wikimedia Commons, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></figcaption></figure> That one carbon atom makes all the difference. It means methanol is processed differently in our bodies and is much more toxic than ethanol. Methanol is used in a <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methanol">variety of industrial and household products</a>, such as windshield cleaning fluids, antifreeze and fuel. It’s not safe for human consumption. <h2>What makes methanol toxic?</h2> The difference is in how methanol is metabolised, or broken down in our bodies. Ethanol is metabolised into a chemical compound called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is toxic, but is rapidly converted to acetate (also known as acetic acid, found in vinegar). Generating an acid may sound bad, but acetate actually <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6699882/">produces energy and makes important molecules</a> in the body. By contrast, methanol is metabolised into <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde">formaldehyde</a> (a chemical used in <a href="https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/hazardous-chemical/priority-chemicals/formaldehyde">industrial glues</a> and for embalming corpses, for example) and then to <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Formic-Acid">formic acid</a> (the chemical in some ant bites that makes them hurt so much). Unlike acetate, which the body uses, formic acid <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1665561/">poisons the mitochondria</a>, the powerhouses of the cells. As a result, a person exposed to methanol can go into severe <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482121/">metabolic acidosis</a>, which is when too much acid builds up in the body. Methanol poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The acidosis then causes depression of the central nervous system which can cause people with methanol poisoning to fall unconscious and go into a coma, as well as retinal damage leading to vision loss. This is because the retinas are full of active mitochondria and sensitive to them being damaged. Death is not inevitable if only a small amount of methanol has been consumed, and rapid treatment will greatly reduce damage. However, permanent vision damage can occur even at <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482121/">non-lethal doses</a> if treatment is not administered quickly. <h2>What does treatment involve?</h2> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482121/">Treatment</a> is mainly supportive care, such as intubation and mechanical ventilation to help the patient to breathe. But it can also involve drugs such as <a href="https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01213">fomepizole</a> (which inhibits the generation of toxic formic acid) and dialysis to remove methanol and its metabolites from the body. <h2>How does methanol get into alcoholic drinks?</h2> Methanol can turn up in any alcoholic beverage, but it’s most likely in beverages with higher alcohol content, such as spirits, and traditionally brewed drinks, such as fruit wines. Methanol can get into alcoholic beverages in a number of ways. Sometimes it’s added <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8303512/">deliberately and illegally</a> during or after manufacturing as a cheaper way to increase the alcohol content in a drink. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5028366/">Traditional brewing methods</a> can also inadvertently generate methanol as well as ethanol and produce toxic levels of methanol depending on the microbes and the types of plant materials used in the fermentation process. We don’t yet know how the Australian teenagers came to be poisoned in this tragedy. But it is a good idea when travelling (particularly in areas with traditionally fremented drinks, such as south-east Asia, the Indian subcontinent and parts of Africa) to always be careful. The Australian government’s <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/safety/partying#methanol">Smartraveller website</a> advises that to avoid methanol poisoning you should be careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spirits, drink only at reputable licensed premises and avoid home-made alcoholic drinks. Drinking only mass-produced commercial brews can be safer, though understandably people often want to try locally made drinks as part of their adventure.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244151/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ian-musgrave-1808">Ian Musgrave</a>, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-methanol-how-does-it-get-into-drinks-and-cause-harm-244151">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Fifth death confirmed in Laos poisoning

A young British lawyer has died in hospital after a suspected mass poisoning that has claimed the lives of four others. On Thursday, Melbourne teen Bianca Jones became the fourth person to die from suspected methanol poisoning following the deaths of two Danish women and an American who had all been holidaying in the in the party town of Vang Vieng. Lawyer Simone White, 28, was among a dozen other tourists taken to hospital after visiting the backpacker town, with Thai police confirming her death on Friday morning. In a statement to <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/british-lawyer-simone-white-in-hospital-after-apparent-mass-methanol-poisoning-in-laos-c-16833986" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>, a spokesperson for Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed a death in Laos, saying, “We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities.” Her friend Bethany Clarke, who was with White on holiday, urged tourists in the region to “avoid all local spirits” after their group of six fell ill. “Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth it,” she wrote in a Laos backpacking Facebook group. “Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Jones, 19, in federal parliament on Thursday after news of her death was shared, as her friend Holly Bowles continues to fight for her life in a Bangkok hospital. “This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Albanese said. Image credits: Facebook

Caring

"Every parent's nightmare": Families of poisoned teens share update

The families of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones have shared a heartbreaking update as the teenagers continue to fight for their lives after being <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/two-aussie-teens-poisoned-in-laos-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poisoned</a> in Laos. While travelling around south-east Asia on a gap year, the Melbourne 19 year olds consumed what is believed to be methanol-laced drinks in Laos. The young women were found barely alive in their hotel room and were rushed to a hospital in the neighbouring country of Thailand, where they remain on life support. Holly’s dad Shaun Bowles fronted the media on Wednesday in Bangkok where he confirmed his daughter remained in the ICU in a critical condition, where the family are spending as much time as possible by her bedside. “Right now our daughter remains in the intensive care unit in a critical condition. She’s on life support,” Shaun said. “We’d just like to thank everyone from back home for all the support and love that we’re receiving but we’d also like for people to appreciate right now we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.” Bianca's family also released a statement saying there was no update on her condition, but confirmed that she remains on life support. "Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia," the statement from the family reads. "This is every parent's nightmare and we want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through. We hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened as soon as possible." Authorities suspect the girls drank poisoned cocktails which reportedly had shots of "vodka" while holidaying in the party town of Vang Vieng, a popular tourist area about 130km north of Laos capital, Vientiane. They were among a large group of international travellers who fell victim to what is feared to be a mass poisoning which has already killed two other people. Editor's note: Police in Thailand confirmed the death of Bianca Jones on Thursday afternoon. Holly Bowles is understood to still be in hospital. Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Two Aussie teens poisoned in Laos identified

Two Australian teenagers who are fighting for their lives in a hospital in Thailand have been identified. While travelling around south-east Asia on a gap year, Melbourne teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both aged 19, consumed what is believed to be methanol-laced drinks in Laos. The young women were found barely alive in their hotel room and were rushed to a hospital in the neighbouring country of Thailand, where they remain on life support. Authorities suspect the girls drank poisoned cocktails which reportedly had shots of "vodka" while holidaying in the party town of Vang Vieng, a popular tourist area about 130km north of Laos capital, Vientiane. They were among a large group of international travellers who fell victim to what is feared to be a mass poisoning which has already killed two other people. Ms Jones’ family has expressed disbelief in what has happened to their daughter, describing her as their "angel" as they rushed to be at her bedside. "Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream getaway with her best friend Holly," they told the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/two-melbourne-girls-on-life-support-in-bangkok-after-ethanol-poisoning-in-laos/news-story/6194b29655744b3f1bceeab2980c8e83" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">Herald Sun</a>. "They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia. We are here by Bianca’s bedside praying for her." "She's just an absolute star. She's a bundle of joy. To know her is to love her," the cafe manager told <a title="The Age" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/fears-for-absolute-star-as-teens-fight-for-life-in-thailand-after-alcohol-poisoning-20241119-p5krpb.html" target="" rel="">The Age</a>. "We're just praying for the family. She's just a loyal, caring sweet person. We value her so much as a friend as well as a colleague." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/laos-methanol-poisoning-melbourne-teens-suspected-methanol-poisoning-identified/b5721fe5-e323-4807-8790-e9d070b51194" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a> with a statement on Wednesday, with a spokesperson saying they were "providing consular assistance" to two Australians and their families in Thailand. "Our thoughts are with them at this deeply distressing time," a spokesperson said. "Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment." Image credits: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Six people found dead in luxury hotel

A disturbing theory has emerged after six people were found dead in a luxury hotel room in central Bangkok. According to Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police commissioner Thiti Saengsawang, hotel staff at the Grand Hyatt Erawan discovered the bodies of six people in a fifth-floor room after they missed check out time by more than 24 hours. After concluding that the incident did not appear to be a robbery and none of the bodies showed any signs of physical violence, Thai Police are exploring the possibility that the people were poisoned. Police shared that they "needed to find out the motives", and that the deaths were the result of a "killing", not a suicide. Authorities conformed they are investigating the potential poisoning after Thiti said cups with traces of a white powder were located in the room, along with untouched food that had been ordered earlier. As police continue their investigation into the shocking deaths, they are currently searching for a seventh person who was part of the hotel booking and is now a possible suspect. Two of the dead were US citizens of Vietnamese background, while the other four were Vietnamese nationals. Thiti said police believe one member of the group had tried to reach the door to escape but fell and died before they could get there. The Thai government issued a statement after the killings, with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin saying, "There were no signs of a struggle," adding, "We need to conduct an autopsy." He also "ordered all agencies to urgently take action to avoid impact on tourism,” given that the luxury hotel is situated in a popular tourist area. Image credits: BBC / Royal Thai Police

Travel Trouble

Erin Patterson enters plea for murder charges

Erin Patterson will face trial in the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to eight charges of murder and attempted murder. The 49-year-old is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66. All three <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-mushroom-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died </a>in hospital days after consuming an allegedly poisonous mushroom lunch at Patterson's home in South Gippsland July 29, 2023. She is also accused of the attempted murder of Heather Wilkinson’s husband Ian, and four separate attempts on her ex-husband’s life, with three occasions dating back to 2021. Patterson appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, and pleaded not guilty to all eight of her charges, including three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. Patterson told Magistrate Tim Walsh, "not guilty, Your Honour", as he read each of the charges. Her barrister, Colin Mandy SC, confirmed that she was going to use the “fast-track” method to have the case sent to the Supreme Court. The fast track method allows homicide cases to skip a committal hearing where a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if it could support a conviction. Walsh told Patterson hat under the fast track method, he did not have to judge the evidence and could commit her “solely on her election”. The decision also means that details of the prosecution case and her defence will not be aired publicly until after the trial. Patterson was arrested last November but has repeatedly denied the allegations. She was remanded in custody and will appear for a directions hearing at the Supreme Court on May 23. Images: Nine News

Legal

Health retreat responds to woman's suspected mushroom poisoning death

The alternative health centre where Rachael Dixon died after consuming a drink allegedly containing <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/woman-dies-after-suspected-mushroom-poisoning-at-health-retreat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poisonous mushrooms</a> have issued a public statement on the incident. The 53-year-old and her friends took part in a holistic wellness retreat at Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre when Dixon fell ill on Saturday night after <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;">she allegedly crushed up mushrooms<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;"> and consumed them in a drink. While her two friends were rushed to hospital and released a few days later, Dixon went into cardiac arrest, and despite best efforts by paramedics, she died at the scene just after 12am. Soul Barn, a self-described “creative wellbeing centre” specialising in holistic and alternative practices issued a statement on Thursday saying they were devastated by the incident. They also claimed that the event on Saturday that Dixon attended was not run by the centre or facilitated by any of its staff. “Soul Barn hires out workshop (spaces) to external businesses and facilitators,” they said. “The event which took place on April 13 was a private event, and those facilitating the event do not work for or represent Soul Barn in any way. “None of our regular therapists staff or facilitators were present at any point during this event. “We share the shock and devastation of everyone involved, and our hearts are with those families affected.” The health centre will remain closed while police investigate Dixon's death and a report is being prepared for the coroner. Image: 7NEWS

Legal

Woman dies after suspected mushroom poisoning at health retreat

A 53-year-old woman has died and two others have been rushed to hospital after allegedly ingesting poisonous mushrooms while at a holistic wellness retreat. Rachael Dixon became violently ill on Saturday night after she allegedly crushed up mushrooms and consumed them in a drink. Dixon and her two friends were at the Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre, an "alternative health retreat" in Clunes, near Ballarat, when the incident occurred. An ambulance was called after reports she was in cardiac arrest and not breathing, and despite best efforts by paramedics, she died at the scene just after 12am. Her two friend were also rushed to hospital, but were released days later. Police are investigating her sudden death, and are expected to look into if the drink contained 'magic' mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. Dixon's son Matthew paid tribute to his mother on Facebook, writing, "To the most loving, most caring person I've ever known can't thank you enough for everything you ever did for me and all the support you gave me." "Words can't begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug." Soul Barn has remained closed since the incident as local business owners and residents said the incident was "confronting" and "devastating". The death comes after Victorian authorities warned residents earlier this month that poisonous mushrooms were growing across the state. “Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria,” acting chief health officer Evelyn Wong said. “There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.” Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Accused mushroom killer moved to protected unit over safety fears

Erin Patterson, accused of poisoning three elderly individuals and attempting to murder several others, finds herself secluded within the confines of a protected unit in a Victorian prison. The move, reportedly necessitated by safety concerns, places Patterson away from the general prison population, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against her. According to sources cited by <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-ccok/accused-mushroom-murderer-in-jail-unit-with-pedophile-rapist/news-story/824c4f35c9d9b8f7553af2704836ea82" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Herald Sun</a>, Patterson now resides in the protected wing of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a correctional facility in Victoria. The decision to relocate her stems from fears that she may face harm from fellow inmates due to the nature of her alleged crimes. The Herald's insider disclosed, "If Erin got out of protection, the girls would hurt her." Allegations of her involvement in the deaths of three elderly individuals have evidently rendered her a target among fellow inmates, necessitating stringent security measures. “She allegedly killed three elderly people," the source continued. “There’s a rule, you don’t touch the elderly and you don’t touch babies so because of that, you go into protection." Patterson stands accused of several crimes, including the murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, alongside Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Their deaths, following the consumption of a meal containing deadly mushrooms at Patterson's residence in Leongatha, shook the community. Furthermore, Patterson faces charges of attempted murder, notably targeting her ex-husband Simon and Heather Wilkinson's husband Ian, with the alleged attempts spanning over various dates. As Patterson awaits her court appearance scheduled for May, the case continues to captivate public attention. In the coming months, the court will delve deeper into the intricacies of the case, striving to uncover the truth behind the allegations. Image: News.com.au

Legal

Deadly mushroom lunch survivor speaks out for the first time

The man who survived the deadly mushroom lunch in Victoria last year has spoken out for the first time, sharing what has kept him going through the tragedy. Pastor Ian Wilkinson, 70, was hospitalised for ingesting the poison, which claimed the lives of his wife Heather, his brother Don and his sister-in-law Gail, after attending lunch at Erin Patterson's home on July 29th 2023. Ms Patterson has since been charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder after inviting her ex-husband’s family over to her home for lunch and allegedly serving them the poisoned dish. Six months on, Ian Wilkinson addressed his congregation as he returned to the Korumburra Baptist Church on Sunday for the first time since the alleged poisoning, saying it had been a “big week” full of milestones for him. “At the start of the week it was six months since Heather, Gail and Don went to be with the Lord …” he told the congregation. “Friday was my birthday and yesterday was our 45th wedding anniversary." “So it’s been a pretty big week but I am grateful for all that God has given me, God has done through me.” The week prior marked 25 years since he first took on the role of pastor of the Korumburra parish, with the parishioners offering him a small gift following the sermon. Mr Wilkinson seemed overcome with emotion during parts his sermon, sharing with the congregation that he was grateful to be back after a terrifying two-month stint in the hospital while he fought for his life after the poisoning. “The ways are sometimes hard but God is good. He’s with us,” he said. “He promised to never leave … and I can say, that is true.” Image credits: Supplied

Caring

Text messages reveal accused mushroom killer’s “horrible upbringing”

Texts that alleged triple murderer Erin Patterson sent to a friend have emerged revealing her "horrible upbringing". The texts were sent shortly after the death of Patterson's mum Heather Scutter in 2019, where she described her mother as "cold" and "weird". “My mum was ultra weird her whole life,” she wrote. “We had a horrible upbringing. Mum was essentially a cold robot. It was like being brought up in a Russian orphanage where they don’t touch babies. "That's what my psych reckons. She said she wishes she could have studied my mum lol." The messages, obtained by the Herald Sun, also revealed Patterson's lack of connection with her late father Eitan Scutter, who she called "a doormat." “Dad wanted to be warm and loving to us but mum wouldn’t let him because it would spoil us so he did as he was told,” she said. “She would shout at him if he did the wrong thing so he became very meek and compliant. “My sister and I would hide in our room most of the time so we couldn’t do anything wrong.” These texts have emerged after a former colleague of Patterson described her as “eccentric” and “abrasive”, during her time as an air traffic controller in the early 2000s. The former colleague also told the Herald Sun that Patterson was highly intelligent and capable as she was able to graduate from the challenging training course and work independently in the field. “She was rated in the field and was actually responsible for running airspace for a while,” the former colleague told the publication. “She’s very bright and much brighter than people might think. She managed to get guys wrapped around her little finger although she was very unkempt … and she was abrasive.” A spokesperson from Airservices Australia had also confirmed that Patterson was employed as an air traffic controller from 12 February 2001 until 28 November 2002. Patterson has been <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-charged-with-eight-counts-of-murder-and-attempted-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> with three counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, after being accused of serving up a beef Wellington pie that contained death cap mushrooms which resulted in the tragic deaths of Heather Wilkinson, Gail Patterson and Don Patterson. The attempted murder charges relate to her estranged husband Simon Patterson, and Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson who miraculously survived but was hospitalised in critical conditions for nearly two months. Patterson's two children were also in attendance, but did not consume the same meal. Ian has since been released and attended his wife's memorial in October. Image: News.com.au <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">/ A Current Affair

Legal

Accused mushroom killer puts home up for sale

Erin Patterson, the woman charged with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/erin-patterson-charged-with-eight-counts-of-murder-and-attempted-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eight counts of murder and attempted murder</a>, after allegedly lacing meals with death cap mushrooms, has put her Melbourne property up for sale. In a case that has gripped the nation, Patterson is facing these charges following the tragic incident that occurred on July 29, as well as historic incidents involving her former husband. The major incident involved a mushroom lunch hosted in Patterson's home in Leongatha, where her former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, died shortly after allegedly consuming a beef wellington. Heather's husband and Baptist church pastor, Ian Wilkinson, who also had the meal, miraculously survived, but was hospitalised in critical condition for nearly two months before being released in September. Patterson is also charged with four counts of attempted murder of her former partner, Simon Patterson, in separate incidences between between November 2021 and September 2022 and on the day of the lunch. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Now, her $1 million townhouse in Melbourne's east at the suburb of Mount Waverley has hit the market. She first bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property in 2019, and has infrequently visited it. It is not the house where the fatal mushroom incident took place. The 249-square-metre townhouse, will go to auction at 11am on Saturday and is expected to sell for around $960,000 to $1,050,000. Real estate agency Ray White has pitched the home to downsizers and families that want to send their children to a good school. “Desired for its defined dimensions and convenient placement in the Mount Waverley Secondary Catchment (STSA), this easy-care townhouse is equally suited to those starting out or downsizing as it is for families and investors,’’ the agents said. They also provided a description of the townhouse, which read: “Quietly tucked at the rear of only two, the residence takes great care in providing a comfortable lifestyle with the lounge room enriched with large windows, while the dining zone is accompanied by a well-equipped kitchen complete with a Bosch dishwasher.” Images: Realestate.com.au / A Current Affair

Legal

Erin Patterson arrested over fatal mushroom meal

Erin Patterson has been arrested at her home in Victoria over her potential involvement in the suspicious deaths of three people. In July, Gail and Don Patterson, the parents of Erin Patterson's ex-husband, and Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson, died from mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch hosted by the 49-year-old woman. Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson also attended the lunch and was critically ill, but recovered. All four had shared a meal, understood to be a beef Wellington, allegedly cooked by Patterson. Patterson was arrested early on Thursday morning, with AFP conducting a search of her home shortly after her arrest with technology detector dogs in tow. Veteran crime journalist John Silvester, of <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/mushroom-cook-erin-patterson-arrested-over-fatal-lunch-20231102-p5egxu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Age</a> newspaper, told Today Extra on Thursday that the dogs were a sophisticated police tool that can detect electronic devices. "These dogs are absolutely amazing and they can sniff out and have sniffed out a SIM card that was hidden in a bowl of garlic," he said. "They are there for a purpose. This is not speculation. They will be there looking for something like a mobile phone, a SIM card, or a memory disk." Police said Patterson will now be interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing, as no charges have officially been laid. Erin Patterson has always maintained she did not intentionally poison her guests, telling reporters at the time of their deaths that she was "devastated" by the loss of her relatives. "I didn't do anything, I loved them," she said. Image credits: A Current Affair

Legal

"Immense relief": Death cap mushroom survivor released from hospital

Ian Wilkinson, the survivor of a suspected mushroom poisoning incident, has been discharged from Melbourne's Austin Hospital after spending two months in critical condition following a family gathering. Wilkinson, a Baptist pastor residing in the quaint South Gippsland town of Korrumburra, was among four individuals who fell seriously ill after consuming a beef Wellington dish suspected to have been contaminated with death cap mushrooms. Tragically, Wilkinson's wife, Heather, lost her life in the aftermath, as did Heather's sister, Gail Patterson, and her husband, Don. Ian managed to pull through, and his release from the hospital marked a significant milestone in his recovery. The Wilkinson family expressed their profound gratitude towards the hospital staff for their relentless dedication and exceptional care during this challenging period. "We are pleased to announce that Ian Wilkinson has made significant progress in his recovery and was released from Austin Hospital on Friday," the family said in a statement. "This milestone marks a moment of immense relief and gratitude for Ian and the entire Wilkinson family. "The Wilkinson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Leongatha, Dandenong and Austin Hospitals for their unwavering dedication and exceptional care that played a pivotal role in Ian's recovery. "The medical team's expertise and compassion have been a source of comfort and hope throughout this journey. "Additionally, the family is profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and well-wishes from the Korumburra community, church, friends, family, and colleagues. "This collective kindness has been a pillar of strength for Ian and the family, reinforcing the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community. "As Ian continues his journey towards full recovery, the Wilkinson family kindly requests that their privacy be respected." Meanwhile, the woman responsible for preparing the ill-fated meal, Erin Patterson, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/details-of-erin-patterson-s-police-statement-around-fatal-mushroom-meal-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remains a suspect</a> as police homicide detectives continue their investigation into the three tragic deaths. She vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Image: Facebook

Caring

Son of death cap mushroom victim reveals mother's last message

Simon Patterson, the son of Don and Gail Patterson, who tragically fell victim to a mushroom-related incident in Victoria, has spoken emotionally at a public memorial in Korumburra. This marked Simon's first public address since the unfortunate incident. Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, tragically passed away after consuming a mushroom-infused meal at Erin Patterson's residence in Leongatha, Victoria. At the Korumburra Recreation Centre, Simon emotionally shared, “Mum and dad were very much a team working at life together. The fact they died on consecutive days is fitting in some ways, as it reflects their togetherness as a couple that they always worked so hard to grow.” Simon also disclosed the remarkable resilience of his father, who, despite being in his 70s, managed to survive an emergency liver transplant after the toxic meal. Sadly, his overall health deteriorated rapidly thereafter. Simon recounted the final message his mother sent to their family group chat before her hospitalisation, expressing gratitude for the love they shared. “It was no fluke that mum’s final text message as she lay in Dandenong Hospital was: ‘Lots of love to you all’. "As Mum and Dad lay in comas in the hospital in their final days and each day, we were unsure if they would recover or not, it was comforting to know that when we said: ‘See you later,’ we knew it was true. “The only thing we didn’t know was when. In the meantime, we’ll miss them.” Simon acknowledged his parents' strong Christian faith and emphasised that they were open-minded believers who respected diverse perspectives. He reflected on their perspective on death as an inevitable part of life but not the ultimate end. In a gesture of gratitude, Simon thanked the medical staff at Austin and Dandenong hospitals for their care, particularly noting the compassionate act that allowed Gail to see Don one last time before his transfer to the ICU. Heather Wilkinson's situation remains critical, and her husband, Ian Wilkinson, a church pastor, is recovering in the hospital after consuming the same meal. Reverend Fran Grimes expressed support for Ian's recovery during the memorial service. Detectives are collaborating with the Department of Health to further investigate the incident. Images: 7 News / Twitter (X)

Family & Pets

Past charges against mushroom poisoning suspect uncovered

Erin Patterson, the woman under investigation for allegedly cooking the deadly mushroom meal that claimed the lives of three people, has previously faced a series of charges after being involved in a drunk-driving incident. According to reports from The Australian, the 49-year-old was convicted in 2004 of driving drunk in an unregistered vehicle. Court records have revealed that Patterson, who was then known as Erin Trudi Scutter and was aged 29, faced legal consequences for her reckless actions, losing her license for 30 months after crashing her vehicle in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne while heavily intoxicated. The reports revealed that after the crash, she fled from authorities by speeding away from the crash scene, reaching 95 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The convictions that were handed down were for charges of failing to stop a vehicle after an accident, failing to provide identifying information after causing property damage, using an unregistered vehicle on a highway, failing to provide information after property damage, and driving at 95 km/h in a restricted 60 km/h zone. At the time of the crash, Erin's blood alcohol level was 0.14 per cent, indicating significant impairment, however the charges of drink driving were dropped, potentially due to overlapping elements in other charges. Patterson has yet to comment on the previous charges, after being advised by her lawyer not to make any public comments as she remains under investigation for the deadly mushroom meal. She has <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/details-of-erin-patterson-s-police-statement-around-fatal-mushroom-meal-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denied any wrongdoing</a> in the mushroom incident, although according to police, they are investigating Patterson because she was the only adult among five who did not either die or suffer severe illness after ingesting the deadly mushrooms. Image credits: A Current Affair

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