In the chilly winters of Victoria's Gippsland, the town of Korumburra is enveloped in a quiet gloom after a shocking event: the mushroom murders. Erin Patterson, who invited her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and her sister-in-law, Heather Wilkinson, to a family lunch, was found guilty of their murders. Only Ian Wilkinson survived the toxic meal, after weeks in a coma. The 10-week trial garnered global media attention, but many in Korumburra wish to move on.
Cattle farmer Nathan Hersey voices the community's desire for closure, stating, “It’s particularly not easy when there’s been so much attention.” Locals remember the victims fondly, with many recounting the kindness and impact of Don Patterson, a beloved teacher. A tribute at the local Baptist church honors the trio, underlining their significance in the community.
The impact stretches beyond Korumburra, touching nearby towns. Residents of Outtrim are unsettled as the prosecution suggested that death cap mushrooms were foraged from their area. Ian Thoms, a neighbor, reflects on the pervasive effects of the case, “Everyone knows somebody who has been affected.”
Meanwhile, Erin Patterson's abandoned home in Leongatha has intrigued many, with curious onlookers visiting the site of the tragedy. Local shops in Morwell have seen a surge in business due to the trial, but the community is conflicted about the crime’s spotlight. The case has revived old tensions related to local policing and justice.
As the dust settles, many hope to redefine Korumburra's identity away from this violence, emphasizing unity and support rather than sorrow and notoriety. The aftermath of the mushroom murders is still fresh, but the aim is to heal and remember the best of the ones lost.
