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 attention has turned to a very unpleasant lunch in Leongatha (Victoria). This is where fifty-year-old Erin Patterson served a classic beef Wellington to her in-laws, 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 leading 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 portion 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 illustrious dinner.
Sick 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 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 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 it was all an unfortunate coincidence.
And then things got really dark: she had given leftovers from the meal to her children. But, she claimed, she had “removed the mushrooms”.
A plate with a different color
Victim Heather had previously told someone that Erin had a different-colored plate from everyone else. Coincidence? Maybe. But in a case where everything is suspicious, nothing goes unnoticed.
More lies also 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 growing poisonous specimens.
No remorse, just silence
The woman herself remained strikingly quiet during the verdict. She listened to the judgment in silence and did not shed a tear. Whether she will appeal is still unknown. But with a possible life sentence looming, it is to be expected.
Just so you know: how poisonous are those mushrooms, really?
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are responsible for 90% of all fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Just one cap can be deadly for an adult. Symptoms do not begin until after 6–12 hours, by which time your liver is already in serious trouble. Want to play it safe? Just don’t pick them.
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