Before her family and in-laws arrived for a lunch gathering, Erin Patterson had gone to some lengths to prepare. She purchased high-quality ingredients, reached out to friends for recipe advice, and sent her children to see a movie. The lunch she prepared in her Australian home would end in tragedy.
Patterson served a meal containing death cap mushrooms, known for being highly toxic. As a result, three of the four guests fell victim to its deadly effects, leading to a complex legal case that has captivated Australia for weeks.
At the center of a trial taking place in Victoria’s Supreme Court is whether or not this was a deliberate act of poisoning by Patterson. Prosecutors contend that she deceitfully lured her guests under the pretense of needing support for a cancer diagnosis, only to serve them the toxic meal. Her defense, however, paints a picture of a tragic mistake with the mushrooms, insisting there was no murderous intent.
The 50-year-old denies allegations of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, her estranged husband’s parents, and their relative Heather Wilkinson. She also denies trying to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the ordeal. In a move not commonly seen in murder trials, Patterson has decided to take the stand and speak on her behalf.
Recently, Patterson publically opened up about the events leading to that fateful day in July 2023. She elaborated on her meal planning process and why she didn’t fall ill herself from the same dish. She admitted to altering the original dish, initially planned to be Beef Wellington, by adding extra mushrooms to enhance the flavor. Unbeknownst to her, they were deadly.
She recounted purchasing what she assumed were safe, dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery store. However, she discovered that some wild mushrooms she had foraged earlier might have been mixed in unexpectedly. Though mushroom foraging had been a longstanding hobby of hers, she was unaware that fatal varieties could have made their way into her pantry.
Experiencing regret over deceitful actions, Patterson admitted to falsely claiming she had cancer to justify the gathering. Her real intent for organizing the lunch was to discuss plans for weight-loss surgery, a topic she felt ashamed to disclose.
The convicted maintains that she was adversely affected by the dish but managed to reduce the side effects by deliberately vomiting after her guests left. She had indulged in a cake, battled with compulsion, and then purged, leading to lighter symptoms and quick recovery in contrast to others.
Patterson recounted an incident at the hospital with her estranged husband who questioned if the dehydrator she used for mushrooms was the key to the poisoning. She panicked, fearing blame would fall on her, affecting her children, and later discarded the dehydrator.
In her account, she initially claimed that all mushrooms were store-bought, though she suspected some wild ones might have been mixed in. Concerns about the potential repercussions led her to destroy evidence on her cell phone, recording activities linked to mushroom foraging.
While prosecutors underscore deliberate intent without specifying a motive, suggesting she managed to avoid poisoning herself while feigning symptoms. As the trial progresses with her cross-examination, the consequences for Patterson could be severe—life for murder and up to 25 years for attempted murder.