Erin Patterson was found guilty on Monday of murdering her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, and attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson. The convictions stem from a lunch she hosted on July 29, 2023, in Leongatha, Victoria, where she served beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. The high-profile, 10-week trial attracted extensive media attention, causing an economic boom in Morwell and Traralgon. Prosecutors argued 'murderous intent,' while the defense claimed it was a tragic accident, citing Patterson's lies as panic-driven. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for later this year.
Two years ago, Erin Patterson’s lunch guests were admitted to hospital. This week she became a convicted murderer
Erin Patterson mushroom trialCrime - AustraliaVictoriaAustralia
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Erin Patterson was found guilty on Monday of murdering her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, and attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson. The convictions stem from a lunch she hosted on July 29, 2023, in Leongatha, Victoria, where she served beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. The high-profile, 10-week trial attracted extensive media attention, causing an economic boom in Morwell and Traralgon. Prosecutors argued 'murderous intent,' while the defense claimed it was a tragic accident, citing Patterson's lies as panic-driven. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for later this year.
Trending- 1 October/November 2022: Erin and Simon Patterson's relationship becomes strained over tax/child support issues.
- 2 December 2022: Erin expresses anger towards her parents-in-law in messages.
- 3 July 29, 2023: Erin Patterson hosts a lunch where guests are poisoned by death cap mushrooms.
- 4 Day after lunch: Guests are admitted to hospital; three later die.
- 5 Two-and-a-half month trial takes place.
- 6 Monday: Erin Patterson is found guilty of murder and attempted murder.
- 7 Later this year: Sentencing hearing for Erin Patterson.
- Three deaths and one serious illness
- Erin Patterson's conviction for murder and attempted murder
- Significant media attention and an economic boom for local towns
- Patterson faces a sentencing hearing and potential appeal
What: Erin Patterson was convicted of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
When: Monday (verdict delivered), July 29, 2023 (the lunch incident), October or November 2022 (relationship strain began), December 2022 (messages showing anger), over 10 weeks (duration of the trial), later this year (sentencing hearing).
Where: Leongatha (Patterson's home), Morwell (court location), Traralgon (nearby town), Victoria.
Why: Prosecutors argued Patterson acted with 'murderous intent' by deliberately poisoning her guests. The defense claimed it was a tragic accident, with Patterson's subsequent lies being due to panic. A strained relationship with her in-laws over financial matters was presented as context.
How: Patterson served individual beef wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms to her guests. She then engaged in actions like disposing of a food dehydrator, lying to police, and factory resetting her phone, which prosecutors used to argue a cover-up.