Australian woman guilty of triple murder with poisonous mushrooms
Australia is known for its surfers, cute koalas and barbecues with thick steaks. But lately, all eyes have been 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 nobody would wish for: poisonous mushrooms. The result? Three deaths and a trial that even Netflix would be jealous of.
Poisonous mushrooms in the starring role
According to the court, it was not a stupid mistake: Erin Patterson was found guilty this week of three murders and one attempted murder. The murder weapon? Not a knife or gun, but a serving of death cap mushrooms, also known as every mycologist’s nightmare.
The victims were her former in-laws 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 an excuse. Patterson had invited her in-laws under the pretext of an important family meeting about medical news. She supposedly had ovarian cancer. Spoiler alert: that turned out to be a lie too.
Twelve hours after the meal, the guests began to become 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 felt nothing. She even insisted on going home after a medical check-up. While her guests lay seriously ill in intensive care, she maintained that everything was an unfortunate coincidence.
And then things get really dark: she had given her children leftovers from the meal. But, she claimed, she had “taken the mushrooms out”.
A plate with a different colour
Victim Heather had already told someone that Erin had a different-coloured plate from everyone else. Coincidence? Maybe. But in a case where everything is suspicious, nothing goes unnoticed.
During the trial, even more lies came to light. 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 silent during the verdict. She listened to the judgment without a word and did not shed a tear. It is not yet known whether she will appeal. But with a possible life sentence ahead of her, it is to be expected.
Just so you know: how poisonous are these mushrooms, exactly?
Death cap (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of all fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Just one cap can be fatal for an adult. Symptoms only begin after 6–12 hours, by which time your liver may already be seriously damaged. Want to play it safe? Just don’t pick them.
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