Australian woman guilty of triple murder with poisonous mushrooms
Australia is known for its surfers, adorable koalas and barbecues with thick steaks. But recently, all eyes were 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 for: poisonous mushrooms. The result? Three deaths and a trial that even Netflix would envy.
Poisonous mushrooms in the starring role
According to the court, it was no stupid mistake: this week, Erin Patterson was found guilty 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 parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister Heather. Only Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband, survived the infamous dinner.
Sick after twelve hours
The lunch began with a pretext. Patterson had invited her in-laws under the guise 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 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 sick?
What makes it even more suspicious: Erin herself had no symptoms whatsoever. 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 had all been an unfortunate coincidence.
And then things got really dark: she had given her children leftovers from the meal. 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.
During the trial, even more lies came to light. Patterson initially said she had bought the mushrooms at an Asian supermarket. Later, she admitted that she had picked them herself, in a place known to be home to poisonous varieties.
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.
Just this: how poisonous are those mushrooms, exactly?
Death cap (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of all fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Just one cap can be fatal to an adult. Symptoms do not begin until 6–12 hours later, when your liver is already in serious trouble. Want to be absolutely safe? Just don’t pick them.
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