Australian killer cook Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of 33 years, at the Victoria Supreme Court.
There was silence in the courtroom as Patterson learnt her fate for killing three lunch guests with a death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington.
Patterson, 50, looked straight ahead as Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale handed down the sentence. She sat in court with her eyes closed for most of the sentencing as Justice Beale set out how she committed the crimes.
"Your failure to exhibit any remorse pours salt into all the victims' wounds. The children of your direct victims speak of the distress of watching their parents suffer."
He added: "Having regard to the aggravating circumstances of your offending and the victim impact statements, I have no hesitation in finding that your offending falls into the worst category for the offences of murder and attempted murder."
Moment murderer Erin Patterson heard how long she'll spend behind bars - watch on TVNZ+
Conditions part of non-parole period decision - judge
Regarding Patterson's circumstances, he said the account of her personal history provided by the convicted murderer's counsel had been "limited".
Of the sentence, he noted: "You are in a management unit to protect you from other prisoners, not vice versa, nor do you have any relevant criminal history."
The judge noted the harsh prison conditions which Patterson would experience, including the "likely prospect of solitary confinement for the foreseeable future".
He described those factors as "important and weighty considerations which should count for something in the sentencing exercise".
Patterson avoids life in jail with no possibility of parole
Justice Beale explained the decision he was going to make, which could have potentially included sentencing Patterson to jail without the possibility of parole.
"The prosecution submits, and your counsel concedes, that your offending falls into the worst category of offending for these offences and that you should receive the maximum penalties for your crimes. I agree," he said.
A jury has found Victorian woman Erin Patterson guilty of murder, nearly two years after a family lunch ended in tragedy. (Source: 1News)
"Whether or not to fix a non parole period is the main dispute which I have to determine."
The judge summarised the case's key elements in a timeline and said he was confident Patterson's actions would have required "substantial premeditation".
Justice Beale said: "I am satisfied that your vague story about the Asian grocery was a lie.
"When you realised that the lie would not work, because death cap mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially, and there were no other reports of people falling ill from mushrooms purchased at Asian groceries, you changed tack."
Today's sentencing hearing was historic, marking the first time in Victoria that cameras have been allowed to broadcast a sentencing live.
Dr Chris Webster said her response immediately set off alarm bells. (Source: 1News)
Patterson was found guilty in July of murdering the parents of her estranged husband, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, having laced their beef Wellingtons with poisonous death cap mushrooms in 2023.
She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.
The survivor spoke outside of court shortly after the conclusion of the sentencing.
"I thank the people of the Leongatha and Korumburra communities in particular," he said. "Your thoughtfulness and care has been a great encouragement to us."
A deadly lunch
On July 29, 2023, Patterson served beef Wellington at her Leongatha home. It was later found to contain toxic death cap mushrooms, among the most lethal in the world.
Three guests - Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson - died. The fourth, Ian Wilkinson, survived after weeks in hospital and a liver transplant.
Patterson was arrested in November 2023 and went on trial in April this year. Over 11 weeks, jurors heard evidence that included forensic confirmation of death cap mushrooms, Patterson’s internet searches on toxic substances and false claims she had cancer.
On July 7, 2025, after six days of deliberation, the jury convicted her on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
At the pre-sentence hearing last month, the court heard seven victim impact statements. Ian Wilkinson told Patterson she had left him “half alive,” though he offered her forgiveness.
The prosecution argued for life without parole, calling the crime deliberate and callous. The defence did not contest a life term but urged parole eligibility after 30 years, citing Patterson’s harsh prison isolation as a mitigating factor.
Justice Beale noted those conditions near-solitary confinement at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre were unusually severe.
What happens next
The 50-year-old was convicted of killing three lunch guests with a poisoned beef Wellington in 2023. (Source: 1News)
Patterson has 28 days from sentencing to lodge an appeal against her conviction or sentence, with the deadline falling on October 6, 2025.
The sentencing closes one chapter in a case that has gripped both sides of the Tasman, but questions remain about Patterson’s future and whether she will challenge the outcome in higher courts.
Additional reporting by AAP
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