Erin Patterson trial : Erin Patterson informed her former in-laws that she had undergone a biopsy on a lump and was scheduled for an MRI, just weeks before allegedly serving them a deadly meal, the jury heard.
On July 7, 2023, when Gail and Don Patterson followed up about her medical results, Erin responded via text, saying
There’s quite a bit to take in from everything that’s come out of it. I’ll share more when we see each other in person. Love, Erin,” the message to Gail’s phone read.
Detective Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall, the lead investigator on the case, resumed his testimony today to outline the evidence collected by police in the months surrounding the July 29, 2023, lunch.
Now in its fifth week, the trial is hearing from Det Eppingstall as the prosecution’s final witness.
He testified that after reviewing Erin Patterson’s medical records from 2023, there was no documentation indicating she had undergone an MRI or biopsy, nor any diagnosis of cancer.
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There’s no record of the accused ever being diagnosed with cancer?” asked prosecutor Jane Warren.
Correct,” Detective Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall responded during the Supreme Court trial in regional Victoria.
Earlier, prosecutors told the jury that Erin Patterson allegedly fabricated a cancer diagnosis to persuade four members of her estranged husband’s family to visit her Leongatha home for what turned out to be a fatal lunch.
Patterson is accused of telling her guests she needed their support in breaking the supposed medical news to her two children.
Eppingstall testified that he learned early in the investigation that Patterson had claimed to be seriously ill to those attending the lunch. He retrieved her medical records from clinics in Leongatha, Korumburra, and Mount Waverley, focusing specifically on the period from January to August 2023.
According to Eppingstall, Patterson visited a GP in Mount Waverley in June 2023 for rib pain following a fall, during which she received a clear chest X-ray. In July, she also had two appointments in Korumburra to renew a prescription.
Detective Reveals No Medical Records Support Erin Patterson’s Cancer Diagnosis
Detective Eppingstall also read aloud a series of text messages retrieved from Gail Patterson’s phone.
A message sent from Gail’s phone on June 28, 2023, read
Hi Erin. Just wondering how you got on at your appointment today? Love, Gail and Don.
The next day, Erin Patterson replied
The appointment went okay, thanks for asking. I had a needle biopsy of the lump, and I’m scheduled for an MRI next week. We’ll know more once we get the results from both.
Gail responded supportively, texting
That’s a real test of patience, isn’t it?! Praying you’ll feel God’s peace.
On July 6, Gail followed up again to ask about the medical tests. Patterson replied that she might discuss it further “when I see you in person.
The jury was presented with dozens of pages of call charge records linked to multiple mobile phones and SIM cards used by Erin Patterson.
Detective Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall testified that during a police search conducted one week after the fatal lunch, Patterson had inserted a SIM card from a tablet into a Samsung phone, which she then handed over to officers.
Investigators later discovered call data indicating the existence of another device, referred to as Phone A, which had not been found during the initial search on August 5.
Eppingstall said police obtained an additional search warrant and returned to Patterson’s home on November 2 in an attempt to locate Phone A. However, the device was never recovered.
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It’s never been located,” he told the jury.
Erin Patterson, 50, is currently on trial for the alleged murders of Don and Gail Patterson, both 77, and Heather Wilkinson, 66, who died after consuming a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms at her Leongatha home.
Patterson maintains that the incident was a tragic accident and has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson — the sole survivor of the meal.
The trial, presided over by Justice Christopher Beale in Morwell, is ongoing.
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