Posted by 
The woman at the centre of a mushroom lunch in regional Victoria that resulted in the deaths of three people has arrived at a police station after being driven from her home by homicide detectives.
Erin Patterson, 49, was taken into custody at her home at Leongatha in the Gippsland region and is expected to be formally questioned at Wonthaggi police station.
No charges have been laid.
READ MORE: Suspected mushroom poisoning survivor Ian Wilkinson released from hospital
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the arrest was the "next step" in what has been a long investigation.
"I know people have many questions in relation to this matter and will be hopeful that I can provide answers to them today," he said.
"However, it's not that simple.
"Today's arrest is just the next step in what has been a complex and thorough investigation by Homicide Squad detectives and one that is not yet over.
"While we do want to provide timely updates about this matter, it is critical that doing this does not adversely impact the current investigation or any future processes.
"I encourage people to be particularly mindful of unnecessary speculation and the sharing of misinformation."
A search warrant was executed at her Gibson Street address today and technology detector dogs from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are now part of the operation.
Patterson was previously questioned and released without charge by detectives from the Homicide Squad in August.
Thomas said over the last three months the investigation has been subject to "incredibly intense levels" of public scrutiny and curiosity.
READ MORE: Surviving victim of mushroom poisoning farewells wife at emotional service
"I cannot think of another investigation that has generated this level of media and public interest, not only here in Victoria but nationally and internationally," he said.
"I think it's particularly important that we keep in mind that at the heart of this, three people have lost our lives.
"These are three people who by all accounts were much beloved in their communities and are greatly missed by their loved ones.
"These deaths also continue to have a significant impact on the immediate families of those involved and I ask that people are particularly mindful of this over the coming days.
"In smaller communities, such as Leongatha and Korumburra, a tragedy such as this can reverberate for years to come."
On July 30 four people were hospitalised after they shared a meal at Patterson's Leongatha home the day prior.
Heather Wilkinson, 66, her sister Gail Paterson, 70, and her husband Don, also aged 70, died in hospital after the incident.
A fourth man, Reverend Ian Wilkinson, was recently released from hospital after weeks of extensive treatment.
All four had shared a meal, understood to be a beef Wellington, allegedly cooked by Patterson.
Investigators were exploring if the four had consumed death cap mushrooms, a rare but poisonous mushroom that is thought to be responsible for 90 per cent of mushroom-related deaths globally.
Patterson has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.
