A woman at the center of a high-profile Australian murder case claimed in court on Wednesday that toxic mushrooms used in a fatal lunch may have been foraged unknowingly.
Erin Patterson, 50, is on trial for allegedly murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt by serving them a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms during a family gathering in July 2023. She is also accused of attempting to murder a fourth guest—her husband’s uncle—who survived after a lengthy hospital stay.
Taking the stand in a packed courtroom, Patterson tearfully insisted the poisoning was unintentional. She said she had used dried mushrooms to enhance the flavor of the dish, which she thought tasted “a little bland.” While she believed the mushrooms were store-bought at the time, she now suspects they may have been inadvertently mixed with wild, foraged varieties.
“I decided to put in the dried mushrooms I brought from the grocer,” Patterson said. “Now I think that there was a possibility that there were foraged ones in there as well.”
Patterson also admitted to previously foraging for mushrooms during Covid lockdowns in 2020, which has added to prosecutors’ scrutiny. They allege that she deliberately used the poisonous fungi, taking care not to consume them herself.
Adding to the courtroom drama, Patterson revealed she had lied to her guests about undergoing cancer treatment. In reality, she was preparing for gastric bypass surgery but had felt too embarrassed to tell the truth. “I shouldn’t have lied to them,” she said, explaining that she hoped the deception would make her guests more sympathetic and offer help with her children during her recovery.
The lunch was held at Patterson’s rural Victoria home. Her estranged husband, Simon, was invited but declined, citing discomfort. His parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, all died shortly after the meal. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, became critically ill but survived.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her defense maintains that she also ate the meal but did not fall severely ill, which they argue supports her claim of innocence.
The trial, which has captivated national attention, is expected to continue into next week.
Written By Rodney Mbua
