Australian woman found guilty of triple murder involving poisonous mushrooms
Australia is known for its surfers, cute koalas and barbecues with thick steaks. But lately, all the attention has been focused on a very unpleasant lunch in Leongatha (Victoria). This is where fifty-year-old Erin Patterson served her in-laws a classic beef Wellington, but with a surprise no one would wish on anyone: poisonous mushrooms. The result? Three deaths and a court case that even Netflix would be jealous of.
Poisonous mushrooms in the starring role
According to the court, it was not a stupid mistake: this week, Erin Patterson was found guilty of three murders and one attempted murder. The murder weapon? Not a knife or a gun, but a serving of death cap mushrooms, also known as every mycologist’s nightmare.
The victims were her former parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, plus Gail’s sister Heather. Only Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband, survived the infamous dinner.
Falling ill after twelve hours
The lunch began with a ruse. Patterson had invited her in-laws under the pretext of an important family meeting about medical news. She was supposedly suffering from ovarian cancer. Spoiler alert: that turned out to be a lie too.
Twelve hours after the meal, the guests began to fall seriously ill. At the hospital, it quickly became clear that they had suffered mushroom poisoning. Don, Gail and Heather died several days later.
But she wasn’t ill?
What makes it even more suspicious: Erin herself had no symptoms whatsoever. She even insisted on going home after a medical check-up. While her guests lay seriously ill in intensive care, she maintained that it had all been an unfortunate coincidence.
And then things became even darker: she had given leftovers from the meal to her children. But, she claimed, she had “removed the mushrooms”.
A plate with a different colour
Victim Heather had previously told someone that Erin had a different-coloured plate from the rest. Coincidence? Maybe. But in a case where everything is suspicious, nothing goes unnoticed.
More lies came to light during the trial. Patterson initially said that she had bought the mushrooms at an Asian supermarket. Later, she admitted that she had picked them herself, in a place known for poisonous specimens growing there.
No remorse, just silence
The woman herself remained remarkably quiet during the verdict. She listened to the judgment in silence and did not shed a tear. It is not yet known whether she will appeal. But with a possible life sentence looming, it would be understandable.
One more thing: how poisonous are these mushrooms, actually?
Death cap (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of all fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Just one cap can already be fatal to an adult. Symptoms only begin after 6–12 hours, by which time your liver may already be in serious trouble. Want to be on the safe side? Just don’t pick them.
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