Australian woman guilty of triple murder with poisonous mushrooms
Australia is known for its surfers, cute koalas and barbecues with thick steaks. But recently, all attention turned to 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 you wouldn’t wish on anyone: 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 wasn’t 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 ex-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 a ruse. 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 soon became clear that they had suffered mushroom poisoning. Don, Gail and Heather died several days later.
But she wasn’t sick?
What makes it even more suspicious: Erin herself was completely fine. She even insisted on simply going home after a medical check-up. While her guests lay seriously ill in intensive care, she maintained that it was all an unfortunate coincidence.
And then things got 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 everyone else. 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 strikingly silent during the verdict. She listened to the judgment without a word and did not shed a tear. It is still unknown whether she will appeal. But with a possible life sentence looming, it would be expected.
Just this: how poisonous are those mushrooms, actually?
Death cap (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of all fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Just one cap can already be deadly for an adult. Symptoms only begin after 6–12 hours, by which time your liver is already in serious trouble. Want to play it safe? Simply don’t pick them.
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