Police are investigating the suspected mushroom poisoning of three people in Victoria’s east, who are being mourned as “pillars” of their Gippsland community.
Two men and two women who were taken to hospital on July 30 after eating a meal at a Leongatha home.
Police said a 66-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman, both from Korumburra, died in hospital on Friday.
A third person, a 70-year-old man, died in hospital on Saturday.
The sole survivor, a 68-year-old pastor at the local baptist church in Korumburra, remains in a critical condition.
The Department of Health has confirmed mushrooms were involved and there is no public health risk.
Victoria Police said officers executed a search warrant at a property in Leongatha on Saturday.
Detectives interviewed a 48-year-old Leongatha woman who has been released pending further enquiries.
Victoria Police said the exact circumstances were being investigated.
The families of two of the victims have released a statement in which they asked for privacy and did not name their loved ones.
They described their deaths as a tragic event and said it had deeply affected the them and the surrounding community.
“The past week has been a time of shock and grief for us all,” the statement said.
“Our beloved family members, who we will not name at this time out of respect for their privacy, were cherished individuals.
“They 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.”
The families expressed their gratitude to the community for their support.
They said they were assisting authorities with investigations.
“As we navigate this challenging time, we kindly request that the privacy of our family, church, and friends be respected. We need space to grieve both privately and as a community.”
Community rallies around families
Korumburra and Leongatha have a small collective population of around 10,000 people.
About 80 locals attended a church service on Sunday morning, with extra chairs reportedly needed to be brought in for the candle-lighting ceremony and prayers.
South Gippsland Mayor Nathan Hersey said locals were supporting each other in the wake of the tragedy.
“Korumburra’s a very tight-knit community, full of people who give so much, and those people who we’ve lost this week are no exception to that,” Cr Hersey said.
Jenni Keerie, a South Gippsland councillor, said it was a huge loss for the community.
“We’ve lost some kindness in Korumburra during this week, and we’ll pull together, we’ll remember the people who’ve gone,”she said.
The Department of Health said its investigations were ongoing.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the patients’ family for their loss,” a spokesperson said.