The ex-husband of the Australian woman at the centre of the poisonous lunch that killed three of his relatives reportedly pulled out of attending the deadly get-together at the last minute.
On July 29, 48-year-old Erin Patterson had her former in-laws, Gail Patterson and Don Patterson, as well as Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, and her husband Ian for lunch at her home, in Victoria's Leongatha.
On Friday, Heather, 66 died in hospital. Her husband, 68-year-old Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, remained in hospital on Monday afternoon in a critical condition. Heather's sister Gail, 70, and brother-in-law Don, 70 also died in hospital.
Police are continuing to investigate Erin after the deadly lunch.
According to Daily Mail, a friend of Simon's claimed he was supposed to attend the lunch, however, "he pulled out at the last minute."
Simon had only just recovered after months of rehabilitation from a mystery stomach illness that had him fighting for his life in hospital. He spent 21 days in intensive care after collapsing at his home in May 2022.
The friend of Simon's told the Daily Mail that Erin was wanting to retain the family home, which she had reportedly been living in with the couple's children since they split.
A neighbour of Gail and Don Patterson told the Daily Mail that Simon had moved in with his parents after splitting with his wife.
"They were always out doing their own lawns. They were pretty active," he said.
"Don used to go out for walks every morning."
The neighbour told the Daily Mail the couple were "kind people" who were likely to maintain contact with their son's ex-wife, even after the couple split.
"He was a pretty good sort of person who wouldn't hold those grudges," he said.
"I don't know why they were there, but probably to see their grandkids."
