Leongatha, Australia — A woman was found guilty Monday of murdering three people, including her in-laws, through a poison-laced meal that included toxic mushrooms, culminating in a high-profile case that captivated the nation and beyond.
Erin Patterson, 50, was arrested in November 2023 after four guests at a lunch she hosted fell seriously ill. The gathering, which featured beef Wellington, took place in her home in Leongatha, a small town located about two hours from Melbourne. While one of the guests survived, three others—Patterson’s in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson—succumbed to the effects of the poison.
Medical professionals identified the poison as Amanita phalloides, commonly known as death cap mushrooms. While Patterson claimed the mushrooms were served unintentionally, prosecutors asserted she deliberately included them in the dish, sparing herself from any harm.
The so-called “mushroom murders” turned into a media frenzy, drawing widespread attention as the trial commenced in Morwell earlier this year. Major news networks extensively covered the proceedings, and the case inspired multiple podcast series and several true-crime books, with plans for a television adaptation in the works.
During jury instructions, Judge Christopher Beale addressed the overwhelming media scrutiny the case had received, urging the panel to focus solely on the evidence presented in court. They were reminded that their decision must be based on whether the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Despite much of the public already believing in Patterson’s guilt, the jury’s task was not straightforward. The prosecution brought forth incriminating evidence, including Patterson’s online searches for places to find death cap mushrooms and documentation of her travel to such locations. However, they did not provide a clear motive for the alleged crimes.
Patterson had a strained relationship with her husband Simon, the son of the victims, as the couple had been estranged before the incident. Text messages entered into evidence illustrated her frustration with lack of support from her in-laws during their marital problems. Nevertheless, questions arose regarding her ties to the Wilkinsons and why they were present at the meal.
Patterson’s defense attorney, Colin Mandy, raised doubts about her intent, questioning why she would risk destroying her life by committing such acts. Throughout the trial, Patterson maintained her innocence but also acknowledged purchasing a food dehydrator on the day her phone data indicated she had been near death cap mushrooms. This device was later recovered with her fingerprints and traces of the fungi.
The defense argued that Patterson mistakenly believed she had purchased a mix of safe mushrooms from a supermarket. However, experts in food safety have indicated that such a mix would be improbable, and there have been no similar poisoning incidents linked to food safety failures. She later claimed to have made an error while foraging for mushrooms.
Prosecutors highlighted Patterson’s choice to serve individual portions of beef Wellington, suggesting this allowed her to manage the ingredients used, reinforcing the argument that the act was intentional. Testimony from Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor, illustrated discrepancies in the meal presentation compared to how guests were typically served.
In her closing statements, prosecutor Nanette Rogers emphasized that Patterson had total control over the meal’s preparation. She described Patterson’s actions as a “sinister deception,” crafted to disguise her intention to poison her guests while ensuring her own safety.
After a week of deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict, convicting Patterson on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The reasoning behind their final decision remains confidential, as Australian law prohibits jurors from discussing their internal deliberations.
Patterson showed no visible emotional reaction when the verdict was announced. She is scheduled for sentencing at a later date, where she could potentially face life in prison.
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