Sole survivor of the deadly mushroom lunch makes first public appearance since triple murderer Erin Patterson was found guilty
Local church pastor Ian Wilkinson received a round of applause from the congregation as he delivered a message of hope during a rare address at Korumburra Baptist Church on Sunday.
It was his first public appearance since Patterson was found guilty of killing her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, at her Leongatha home in Victoria's Gippsland region on July 29, 2023.
The mother-of-two was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather's husband, Mr Wilkinson, who spent weeks fighting for life in hospital and underwent a liver transplant.
As the two-year anniversary of the ill-fated lunch looms, Mr Wilkinson made a much-anticipated return to the church, where he's been the local pastor for two decades.
'My name is Ian. I used to lead services here a lot and I'm pleased to be back with you again,' he told the congregation.
Mr Wilkinson delivered a poignant message of hope by citing an often-quoted verse from Psalm 23:4 in the Bible, Nine News reported.
'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,' he said.
Erin Patterson was recently found guilty of murdering three in-laws with death cap mushrooms in a Beef Wellington that she served them for lunch at her home
The congregation led special prayers for the Wilkinson and Patterson families during the service as they prepare to mark two years since losing their loved ones.
Simon Patterson had also been invited to the ill-fated lunch that claimed the lives of both of his parents and his aunt.
It was Mr Wilkinson's first public sighting in three weeks, apart from a personal statement shared in a noticeboard message outside the church the day after Patterson was found guilty.
'Life can be hard, but God is faithful,' he was quoted in the message.
The notice from the church leadership team also requested privacy during this 'difficult time'.
'We all greatly miss Heather, Don and Gail, whether we were friends for a short time or over 20 years. They were very special people who loved God and lived to bless others,' it began.
'It's been a long journey, and we continue to lovingly support Ian, Simon and all the Wilkinson and Patterson family members through this difficult time.
'We appreciate all the care from our local communities, special support from individuals and from the Baptist Union of Victoria, and the churches and people from all over the world who have been praying for us.'
Mr Wilkinson attended almost every day of Patterson's 10-week trial, where he gave powerful and compelling evidence.
More details about his miraculous recovery could be revealed if he takes up an invitation to make a victim impact statement ahead of Patterson's pre-sentencing hearing later this year.
A 12-person jury found Patterson guilty of three murders and one attempted murder at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court a fortnight ago following a week of deliberations.
Patterson had invited the group to her home, where she served them individually wrapped beef Wellingtons containing lethal mushrooms.
The killer initially feigned grief as the fatal lunch made headlines around Australia, and Victoria Police charged her over the deaths in November 2023.
Patterson faces a maximum sentence of life behind bars.
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