Australian woman Erin Patterson was found guilty on Monday, of murdering three of her estranged husband’s relatives and attempting to murder a fourth by deliberately serving them poisonous death cap mushrooms during a lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, in 2023.
The verdict, which required unanimous agreement, was reached after six days of jury deliberation. Patterson faces life in prison, with sentencing yet to be scheduled.
The victims were Patterson’s parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, who all died after consuming beef Wellington pastries laced with the toxic mushrooms. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived after spending weeks in the hospital.
During the nine-week trial, the prosecution argued that Patterson intentionally picked death cap mushrooms after seeing their locations posted on the citizen science website iNaturalist. She then dehydrated and powdered the mushrooms before concealing them in the individually served pastries. Patterson was the only one who did not consume a tainted portion, and she attempted to feign illness to avoid suspicion. Prosecutors also alleged she tried to cover up her actions by disposing of a food dehydrator and deleting electronic evidence.
Patterson’s defense claimed the inclusion of the poisonous mushrooms was accidental, asserting that she had unknowingly used foraged mushrooms to enhance the flavor of the meal. However, the 12-member jury unanimously rejected this argument, concluding that Patterson had intentionally poisoned her guests.
The prosecution highlighted strained relations between Patterson and her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, who was invited to the lunch but did not attend. They also pointed to Patterson’s alleged "two faces"—one publicly showing a good relationship with her in-laws and the other revealing private frustrations and resentment.
