Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been found guilty of killing her lunch guests as the jury returns a verdict in her triple-murder trial in Australia's southeast.
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The jury deliberated for more than a week but ultimately returned a verdict of guilty on all four counts.
Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after three members of her family died from death cap mushroom poisoning in August 2023.
The 50-year-old invited her parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian Wilkinson, to lunch on July 29, 2023.
Simon Patterson declined to attend shortly before the lunch, which was held at the Leongatha home that his ex shared with their children.
A beef Wellington containing poisonous death cap mushrooms was eaten by the lunch guests, and the group fell fatally ill in the following days.
Heather Wilkinson, Don and Gail Patterson both died in hospital, while Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church, survived after a successful liver transplant.
Patterson's triple-murder trial was held over almost three months, starting on April 28, at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court in Morwell, Victoria.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
