The trial of Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old woman accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a deadly beef wellington, commenced this week in Morwell, Victoria. Patterson faces three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, with the prosecution alleging that she laced the dish with poisonous death cap mushrooms, leading to the deaths of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.
The tragic incident occurred on July 29, 2023, during a lunch at Patterson's home in Leongatha, approximately 135 kilometers from Melbourne. The gathering, initially intended to discuss Patterson's supposed cancer diagnosis, quickly turned fatal. By midnight on the day of the lunch, all four attendees had reported feeling unwell. Tragically, Gail and Heather succumbed to the effects of the poison nearly a week later, while Don died a day after that. The only survivor, Reverend Ian Wilkinson, spent seven weeks in the hospital recovering from the ordeal.
According to Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC, the prosecution's case hinges on the assertion that Patterson deliberately served her guests meals on different colored plates—hers being orange while the others were grey—suggesting a calculated act rather than an accident. Rogers stated, "It is the prosecution's case that the accused used the false claim of cancer to ensure and explain why the children would not be present at the lunch." This claim raises questions about Patterson's intentions during the gathering.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that she had no reason to harm her loved ones. In a statement to police, she expressed her distress over the deaths and noted that she had also eaten from the same dish. "I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved," Patterson stated, emphasizing her innocence.
The trial began with jury selection on April 29, 2025, where fifteen jurors were chosen to hear the case. Justice Christopher Beale instructed the jury to disregard earlier charges of attempted murder against Patterson's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, which were dropped just before the trial commenced. This development has added another layer of complexity to the case.
During the trial, the jury was presented with evidence that Patterson had invited her estranged husband and his family for lunch to discuss her alleged cancer diagnosis. It was revealed that she had previously mentioned a lump in her elbow and had undergone medical tests, leading her family to believe she was genuinely ill. However, the prosecution contends that Patterson never had cancer, suggesting that her claims were fabricated to facilitate the lunch without her children present.
In the days following the lunch, Patterson exhibited peculiar behavior that raised suspicion. She reportedly told her children she was feeling unwell the day after the lunch and later took them to a flying lesson, despite claiming to be sick. Furthermore, when she sought medical attention at Leongatha Hospital, doctors were alarmed to learn that she had been at the same lunch as the other victims. However, Patterson refused admission, insisting she had only come for a check-up.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Patterson had purchased a food dehydrator shortly before the lunch and had been in contact with individuals discussing mushrooms online. The prosecution suggested that she may have cultivated or acquired the deadly mushrooms herself. Notably, samples taken from a food dehydrator found at a waste transfer station tested positive for amanita mushrooms, further implicating her in the alleged crime.
Moreover, Patterson's account of where she sourced the mushrooms has changed over time. Initially, she claimed to have purchased them from Woolworths and an unspecified Asian grocer, but later, she could not recall the details, raising further doubts about her credibility.
As the trial progresses, Patterson's defense team, led by barrister Colin Mandy SC, is expected to argue that the poisoning was accidental. They will need to convince the jury that Patterson did not intentionally serve the deadly dish, a challenging task given the evidence presented so far.
The trial is expected to last for six weeks, during which time the jury will hear from numerous witnesses, including medical professionals and individuals familiar with Patterson's background and behavior. The case has attracted significant media attention, given the shocking nature of the allegations and the tragic loss of life.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains on edge, grappling with the implications of the case and the potential for a life-altering verdict for Patterson. With a maximum sentence of life imprisonment looming over her, the stakes could not be higher in this high-profile trial.
