Erin Patterson has been found guilty by an Australian jury for the murder of her estranged husband’s parents and aunt after serving them beef Wellingtons laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. The verdict concluded weeks of intense courtroom proceedings that captured national and global attention.
On July 29, 2023, Patterson hosted her former in-laws for lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria. The guests included her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson. Her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, declined the invitation.
Patterson, 50, served individual beef Wellingtons—a dish consisting of beef tenderloin wrapped in mushroom paste and puff pastry—alongside mashed potatoes and green beans. Patterson also ate the dish. Within hours, all four guests fell seriously ill and were hospitalized. Tragically, Gail, Donald, and Heather died, while Ian survived after weeks in an induced coma. The victims ranged from 66 to 70 years old.
Patterson denied wrongdoing, with her defense claiming the deaths were a tragic accident. She also reportedly fell ill after the meal, presenting medical tests as part of her defense. However, forensic investigations revealed the beef Wellingtons were deliberately contaminated with death cap mushrooms, a highly toxic fungus.
Prosecutors noted that although Patterson was separated from Simon, their relationship remained amicable. The couple’s two children were present during the lunch but did not consume the Wellingtons.
Patterson was arrested in November 2023 and has been held in custody since. She faces charges of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, carrying a possible life sentence.
