Posted by 
The South Gippsland community of Korumburra has been thrust into mourning once again after Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder.
The woman at the centre of the alleged toxic mushroom case held a party the night before she was arrested.
Today, parishioners were seen filing into their usual Sunday service, but notable absences are still leaving their mark on the community.
Reverend Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor of the alleged toxic mushroom lunch, is still not well enough to lead his parishioners.
Instead he’s been replaced temporarily by another pastor.
Since Simon Patterson’s estranged wife was charged with plotting to kill him a total of four times, he has not been seen by the media, and was also absent from today’s service.
On Thursday Erin Patterson was charged with murdering her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with the reverend’s wife, Heather Wilkinson, by serving them a deadly meal containing poisonous mushrooms in July.
She’s also charged with attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson.
Since the homicide squad made its arrest, the Korumburra community has felt to be in mourning once again.
Erin Patterson has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Neighbours said she had a group of friends over at her Leongatha home the night before it was raided by police.
She was unaware it would be her last as a free woman before her arrest.
The mother of two will remain at the maximum security Dame Phyllis Frost Centre until her next court appearance in May.
