Australian mushroom cook is convicted of triple murder after serving a fatal beef Wellington lunch

July 07, 2025
Australian woman Erin Patterson was Monday found guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband’s relatives by deliberately serving them poisonous mushrooms for lunch.
Australian woman Erin Patterson was Monday found guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband’s relatives by deliberately serving them poisonous mushrooms for lunch.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Erin Patterson, 49, was found guilty on Monday of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives by deliberately serving them death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington at a lunch in 2023.

A jury in Victoria's Supreme Court delivered the verdict after six days of deliberations following a nine-week trial. Patterson was also found guilty of attempting to murder a fourth guest, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the meal.

She faces life in prison, with sentencing to be scheduled.

The victims were Don and Gail Patterson, her former in-laws, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Prosecutors argued Patterson intended to kill them, though no motive was offered. She had claimed it was a tragic accident, saying she unknowingly used poisonous mushrooms.

The trial drew nationwide attention, with intense media coverage and public interest. Patterson's actions, including disposing of a food dehydrator and initially lying to police, raised doubts about her defense. Her children, who were not home at the time, remain in her custody.

Patterson showed no visible signs of emotion as the verdicts were read.

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