An Australian woman has been convicted of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after serving a mushroom-laced meal that proved fatal for members of her estranged husband’s family.
Erin Patterson, 50, was found guilty on Monday by a jury in Victoria’s Supreme Court, following a nine-week trial and six days of deliberations. The verdict concludes one of Australia’s most bizarre and disturbing homicide cases in recent memory. She now faces life in prison, with sentencing to follow.
The charges stem from a lunch she hosted at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29, 2023, where she served beef Wellington pastries filled with death cap mushrooms—a species so toxic that even small amounts can lead to liver failure and death.
Three of her four guests died: her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived after receiving a liver transplant.
Throughout the trial, Patterson claimed the tragedy was a terrible accident, arguing she had unknowingly cooked with foraged mushrooms. However, prosecutors contended she knowingly included the deadly fungi, possibly motivated by strained family ties and resentment toward her in-laws. The jury’s unanimous verdict suggests they believed the poisonings were deliberate.
Though no specific motive was offered, the prosecution painted a picture of fractured relationships and private frustration—especially with her former husband, Simon Patterson, who had been invited to the lunch but did not attend.
Ian Wilkinson testified that Patterson personally plated each meal, served them on identical grey plates, and reserved a differently colored plate—orangey-tan—for herself. He also recalled her acting oddly during lunch, even appearing “reluctant” to let guests access her pantry.
“She picked up the odd plate and carried it to her seat,” Wilkinson told the court. His wife later remarked on the plate color difference—one of several small but suspicious details that surfaced during the trial.
Patterson’s defense argued she had no reason to commit murder, citing her financial stability, full custody of her children, and her plans to begin nursing studies. But the jury was not convinced.
The case had previously included separate attempted murder charges related to her estranged husband, which were later dropped.
What Are Death Cap Mushrooms?
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) resemble edible varieties but are lethal if consumed. They grow widely in forests and urban environments, including parts of British Columbia. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and organ failure. Anyone suspecting death cap mushroom ingestion should seek immediate emergency care.
The case has sparked renewed warnings across Australia and beyond about the dangers of foraging for wild mushrooms without expert knowledge.