Australian Woman Convicted of Murder Using Toxic Fungi | Global Headlines

In a shocking case of murder by poisoning, an Australian mother, Erin Patterson, has been convicted of killing her estranged husband’s parents and aunt. The fatal victims, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, were invited to a lunch where they were served beef wellington laced with the deadly death cap mushrooms, also known as Amanita phalloides. The trio fell ill after consuming the meal, provided by Patterson at her residence in Leongatha, Australia. Mrs. Wilkinson and Mrs. Patterson passed away on August 4, 2023, while Mr. Patterson succumbed to the poisoning the following day. Reverend Wilkinson survived seven weeks in the hospital. Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, was invited to the lunch but declined to attend. The prosecution had initially included charges of attempted murder against him, which were later dropped. Patterson fabricated a cancer diagnosis to explain the lunch, claiming it was an opportunity to discuss the best way to inform her children. The trial garnered significant attention in Australia.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/australian-mother-guilty-of-murdering-three-people-with-poisonous-mushrooms-13389305