The Australian mother at the centre of a fatal lunch has fled her home as media continue to push for answers.
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.
On Tuesday, Erin, who police have confirmed is a suspect in their investigation, returned home to a large media pack waiting at her front door.
But the 48-year-old didn't reveal much to reporters, instead telling them to get off her property.
"What happened is devastating and I'm grieving too and you guys don't have any respect for that."
Erin was forced to move around the media contingent as she tried to get to her front door, telling reporters; "can I just get to my door, stop standing in front of me".
The Daily Mail said Erin left questions surrounding what dish was served to her relatives unanswered.
"Complex case"
On Monday, Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas confirmed Erin "cooked those meals" but made clear his team were dealing with a "complex case" and "it could be very innocent".
"We have to keep an open mind."
Det Insp Thomas said police are "presuming at this point" the deaths were caused by mushrooms, but are unsure where they had been sourced.
"I'm going s****house"
As media continued to push Erin for answers, the mother of two appeared to become increasingly frustrated with the lack the privacy she had.
As she opened the door to her home a black dog dashed out from the inside, frustrating her further.
"You don't have any permission to be on my private property or harass me," she said.
When a reporter asked Erin how she was going, she made her feelings clear.
"I'm going s***house. Thanks for asking. You guys aren't helping."
A short time after Erin was hounded by local media, pictures published by the Mail showed Erin loading a silver suitcase into the boot of her red car, and then leaving.
It comes after the Herald Sun reports police are carrying out forensic testing on a dehydrator that was found at a nearby rubbish dump.
The Herald Sun reports one theory being investigated by police is whether a dehydrator was used to preserve the mushrooms - before it was binned the day after they were eaten.
The outlet also reports Erin's ex-husband, Simon Patterson, collapsed at home and was placed into an induced coma in May last year after a mystery stomach illness.
Simon reportedly said he was close to death in a social media post.
"I collapsed at home, then was in an induced coma for 16 days through which I had three emergency operations mainly on my small intestine, plus an additional planned operation."
He said members of his whānau were asked to say goodbye to him twice because "I was not expected to live".
"I was in intensive care for 21 days," Simon said.
"I have a big scar on my tummy which is healing itself slowly, and I have ICU-acquired weakness which is a common condition of people who lie in intensive care for a long time as I did."
At the time he thanked his now ex-wife Erin, and two children for their support. It's understood the couple’s relationship remained amicable.
Det Insp Thomas said police knew what the meals Erin cooked were, but wouldn't reveal that detail to the public
He confirmed Erin did not present any symptoms and neither did her children. Erin's children have since been taken by The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing as a precaution.
Det Insp Thomas said police "have seized a number of what we call exhibits", many of which will be forensically tested.
The whānau of those who have died say their family members were "cherished individuals".
The Patterson and Wilkinson families said in a statement their whānau 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."
