An Australian woman is facing accusations of murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt with ‘poisoned mushrooms’. She allegedly invited them for lunch under the pretense of sharing a false ‘cancer diagnosis’.
In 2023, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, died shortly after eating a beef Wellington prepared by their former daughter-in-law Erin Patterson, which allegedly contained death cap mushrooms. Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, also consumed the meal.
The lunch took place at Erin Patterson’s home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 30. Heather and Gail both died on August 4, followed by Don a day later. Heather’s husband was hospitalized in critical condition but survived.
Authorities believe that all four individuals consumed the deadly mushrooms, known to be fatal if ingested.
Patterson is currently facing charges for three murders and one attempted murder, though she has denied the allegations.
Prosecutors now claim that Erin Patterson, 50, had invited the guests over to discuss her fake ‘cancer diagnosis’.
Her estranged husband was also asked to join the gathering. When he expressed discomfort, Patterson allegedly replied it was a ‘special meal’ she might not have again for ‘some time’, according to The Times.
On April 30, crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers stated in court that Patterson sought advice from her guests regarding her supposed diagnosis. She claimed uncertainty about whether to inform her two children, who were present in the house during the lunch but were not harmed.
Rogers suggested this allowed the children to be absent from the room when the allegedly poisoned dish was served.
Prosecutors further alleged that Patterson used different plates for herself and her guests. Though she claimed to have fallen ill afterward, she never ingested the mushrooms. Rogers accused her of feigning illness to align with her guests’ symptoms.
Prosecutors also argued that Patterson had refused medical assessment for her children, who did not eat the mushrooms, to conceal her actions.
They stated: “The accused lied about acquiring death cap mushrooms from an Asian grocer and disposed of the dehydrator containing remnants to cover her actions.”
“The prosecution claims the accused had no cancer diagnosis prior to the lunch, and her assertions were deliberately false,” Rogers added, asserting Patterson acted with ‘murderous’ intent.
Patterson’s defense lawyer, Colin Mandy, has argued that the deaths resulted from a ‘terrible accident’.
“The defense case is that what happened was a tragedy and a terrible accident,” Mandy told the court.
The trial continues.