A grieving community has held a vigil to remember the three friends who died of a suspected fatal mushroom poisoning.
Erin Patterson cooked a dish believed to have contained deadly death cap mushrooms for her in-laws at her home in Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne, on July 29.
Her former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson died from symptoms consistent with death cap mushroom poisoning after the lunch.
Ms Wilkinson’s husband, Ian, who works as a pastor in the area, is still in hospital.
It is not suggested Ms Patterson deliberately poisoned the dish, only that police are investigating the deaths.
On Saturday, the community gathered at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Korumburra for a day of “prayer, reflection and solidarity” and say a prayer for Mr Wilkinson.
“Against the background of much sadness within the local community over the last few weeks, today we invite all people of Korumburra and surrounding districts to come together as God’s children for individual prayer and reflection,” a flyer handed to attendees read.
“We remember with love those who have died and we pray particularly for pastor Ian Wilkinson as well as everyone who is affected by this tragedy”.
St Joseph’s Church Parish leader Ken Loughnan told Nine News the day was a new step in the healing process.
“When a tragedy happens in a small community it has a real hurt. People hurt here,” he said.
“This today is an important part of the healing process.”
Ms Patterson, who allegedly served the fatal beef wellington to her guests, did not attend the vigil.
In a statement provided to police during the week, Patterson claimed to have fallen ill after eating the fatal beef wellington dish.
The cook also claimed she had given leftovers to police as evidence and said the fungi used in the dish were a mixture of button mushrooms bought at a supermarket chain and dried ones from an Asian grocery store in Melbourne months prior.
Victoria Police continue to investigate the deaths, but have laid no charges.