Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murder after a jury concluded she deliberately served a deadly meal to kill three of her former in-laws.
After a nine-week trial in the Victorian Supreme Court, the 50-year-old was convicted over the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson.
They all died following a beef Wellington lunch in July 2022.
A fourth guest, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, survived after weeks in hospital and a liver transplant. Patterson was found guilty of his attempted murder.
A jury has found Victorian woman Erin Patterson guilty of murder, nearly two years after a family lunch ended in tragedy. (Source: 1News)
Prosecutors told the jury this was a targeted act, alleging Patterson knowingly served death cap mushrooms, kept herself safe from harm, and fabricated a story to mislead police and health officials.
They pointed to shifting accounts, deleted phone data, a dumped food dehydrator and internet searches about poisonous fungi.
Patterson admitted lying at times, including claiming she had cancer and giving conflicting stories about the mushrooms' source. But she insisted the meal was never intended to harm, calling it a “horrible mistake”.
Erin Patterson found guilty after weeks-long trial, TVNZ+
She testified for eight days in her own defence, denying intent and growing emotional when describing her relationship with the victims.
Her defence lawyer argued the Crown’s case lacked motive and relied on circumstantial evidence. But the jury was ultimately convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Patterson intended to kill or seriously harm her guests.
She will now be sentenced, bringing to a close — pending appeal — one of the most complex cases in recent Australian history.
Timeline of the case
July 29, 2022 - Erin Patterson hosts a lunch at her Leongatha home, about 135km from Melbourne. On the menu: beef Wellington. Four guests fall violently ill.
August 4, 2022 - Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson die. Pastor Ian Wilkinson survives after weeks in hospital and a liver transplant.
November 2, 2023 - Erin Patterson is charged with three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
April 29, 2025 - The trial begins in Morwell, Victoria. Over the next nine weeks, the court hears from police, forensic experts, mushroom specialists and family.
June 2025 - Patterson testifies over eight days, denying intent but admitting to multiple lies.
Late June 2025 - Closing arguments are delivered. The jury begins deliberations.
July 7, 2025 - The jury delivers its decision: Guilty.
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