Erin Patterson, 50, hosted a lunch on 29 July 2023, inviting Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, along with Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66 — a gathering that would turn deadly.
An Australian woman, Erin Patterson, 50, has been convicted of murdering her estranged husband’s parents and an aunt by serving them a beef wellington containing deadly mushrooms.
On 29 July 2023, Patterson invited Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, along with Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, to a lunch that turned out to be fatal.
Deadly Lunch with Estranged In-Laws Ends in Tragedy and a High-Profile Trial
The mother-of-two from Victoria, in southern Australia, has also been found guilty of attempting to murder Reverend Ian Wilkinson, the husband of Heather Wilkinson.
According to the court, all four guests became seriously ill after consuming a meal of beef wellington, mashed potatoes, and green beans at Erin Patterson’s home in Leongatha.
Prosecutors alleged that Patterson deliberately laced the beef pastry with deadly death cap mushrooms, scientifically known as Amanita phalloides.
It was revealed in court that the guests were served on large grey dinner plates, while Patterson herself ate from a smaller, tan-colored plate.
Mrs. Wilkinson and Mrs. Patterson died on 4 August 2023, followed by Mr. Patterson the next day.
Erin Patterson Found Guilty of Mushroom Poisoning Murders in Australia
During the trial, it was revealed that Erin Patterson had also invited her estranged husband, Simon Patterson — the father of her two children — to the lunch. He had initially agreed to attend but later declined.
The jury heard that prosecutors had withdrawn three charges related to Erin allegedly attempting to murder Simon, from whom she has been separated since 2015.
Reverend Ian Wilkinson testified that shortly after the meal, Patterson falsely claimed to have cancer and said the lunch was organized to seek advice on how to break the news to her children.
Prosecutors argued that Patterson fabricated the cancer story to explain why her children were not present at the lunch.
The defense did not contest that Patterson had lied about having cancer.
The trial drew widespread attention across Australia, with podcasters, journalists, and documentary filmmakers flocking to the town of Morwell—about two hours east of Melbourne—where the court proceedings were held.
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