What Happened
- In July 2023, a lunch at Erin Patterson’s home in Victoria, turned deadly when guests were served Beef Wellington allegedly laced with death cap mushrooms, a known lethal fungus.
- Three people died, Patterson’s estranged in-laws.
- A fourth guest, Heather’s husband, survived after extensive hospitalisation.
The Trial
- Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
- She pleaded not guilty, insisting the poisoning was a terrible accident, not intentional.
- The trial took place in Victoria, before the Supreme Court of Victoria, presided over by Justice Christopher Beale.
- The trial lasted for approximately 9 to 10 weeks.
Key Evidence & Contentions
- Prosecution accused Patterson of foraging or sourcing death cap mushrooms, drying them (evidence of a food dehydrator), and knowingly including them in the meal.
- Defence argued there was no intent to kill, being that the inclusion of the mushrooms was accidental, that she “panicked” after the deaths, and lied about a cancer diagnosis (allegedly to lure victims) and the dehydrator because she was overwhelmed.
- There were also issues about how she handled evidence and phone data, delays, and possible attempts to cover up.
Verdict & Sentence
- On 7 July 2025, the jury found Erin Patterson guilty of three murders and one attempted murder.
- On 8 September 2025, she was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years.
Legal & Public Interest Issues
- The case hinged heavily on proving intent, being whether Erin Patterson intentionally served death cap mushrooms or whether it was accidental. This involves examining her actions before, during, and after the lunch.
- The existence and disposal of a food dehydrator, claims about sourcing the mushrooms, and inconsistencies in her testimony played major roles.
- The effect on family, the relationship strain with her estranged husband, and statements from her children were part of the narrative, both for prosecution and defence.