Erin Patterson is currently providing testimony in her highly publicised murder trial, following a meal she served that resulted in fatalities. The 50-year-old has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one of attempted murder stemming from a lunch incident in July 2023. During the event, her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, died after consuming beef Wellingtons that reportedly contained death cap mushrooms. Heather’s husband, Ian, is the only survivor.
Continuing her testimony before a Supreme Court jury in regional Victoria, Patterson maintains that the poisonings were accidental. She described her emotional state upon learning about the severe illnesses of three family members post-lunch, expressing feelings of panic. In her account, she recalled hurriedly disposing of a mushroom dehydrator, which she feared could be linked to the incident, having used it to dry foraged mushrooms weeks prior.
Throughout her testimony, Patterson acknowledged that she might have unwittingly included wild mushrooms in the meal, but she asserts that there was no intent to cause harm. The jury has also been presented with text messages exchanged between Patterson and her former in-laws, which emerged after Simon—the family member questioning her parenting—shared derogatory messages from Patterson.
Defence barrister Colin Mandy SC questioned Patterson about her relationships with her in-laws prior to the fatal lunch, particularly focusing on any potential conflicts. Patterson firmly denied any prior incidents of rudeness or misunderstandings, stating that there were no difficulties in their relationship other than a particular exchange in December 2022.
The trial continues as Patterson seeks to clear her name amidst severe allegations that have drawn considerable public attention.