Erin Patterson guilty verdict: Deadly mushroom lunch linked to relatives’ murder | Victoria

A Victorian jury has found Erin Patterson guilty of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth relative, using a deadly beef wellington lunch. The trial, which lasted 11 weeks in the Victorian Supreme Court, concluded that Patterson was responsible for the deaths of her estranged husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch by spending weeks in the hospital. Patterson was charged in November 2023 for the fatal lunch she hosted at her home in Leongatha, a town in south-eastern Victoria’s Gippsland region. The lunch guests, including her estranged husband’s relatives, were diagnosed with amanita mushroom poisoning after consuming poisonous death cap mushrooms. The incident followed claims made by Patterson that she had cancer and needed advice on how to disclose this news to her children. Her estranged husband, Simon, who was also invited to the lunch, declined to attend due to feeling uncomfortable. However, the prosecutor did not allege a motive. The trial heard from more than 50 witnesses before a jury unanimously delivered their verdict. This outcome has concluded a high-profile case, attracting significant media attention and public comment in Australia.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/07/erin-patterson-guilty-australia-mushroom-murder-trial-ntwnfb