Erin Patterson, 48, has been charged with the murders of three family members and attempted murder of a fourth family member. She’s entered a plea of not guilty in a case that has received national media frenzy. One such lunch was held at her home in Leongatha back in July 2023. At the event were her estranged husband Simon’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian Wilkinson. This case has been playing out as Patterson continues to argue she never meant to kill her guests.
The main central trump card of this entire case rests on one lunch move beef wellington, one single lunch beef wellington. Patterson admitted that it had toxic death cap mushrooms in it. She’s adamant that virtually all of the fungi were purchased at a nearby grocery store. The court is focused on her state of mind – what she knew and intended regarding the harmful ingredients that led to the horrible deaths of Don and Gail Patterson, Heather Wilkison, and Ian Wilkison barely survived.
During the trial, Patterson’s testimony revealed complex family dynamics that may have contributed to the events leading up to the lunch. In late 2022, she discussed two pressing issues with her estranged husband and his parents: financial concerns for their children and issues surrounding their son. According to the Times, these discussions were mired in conflict, mirroring a longstanding feud over child support payments between Patterson and Simon.
In her testimony, Patterson described her relationship with her in-laws, stating, “I was just their daughter-in-law, and they just continued to love me.” Even as this sentiment showcases the love she insists was in their marriage, it pushes back on the claims being brought against her. She admitted to a fiery confrontation with Simon. This occurred following her being left out of a pub lunch to celebrate Gail’s 70th birthday.
Patterson’s temperament and mental condition leading up to the luncheon is also being scrutinized. She reported increasing fatigue, abdominal cramping and chronic migraine headaches. She further expressed her concerns regarding possible ovarian cancer and a brain tumor. “I was just exhausted, extremely fatigued. … I had constant stomach pain. I was having daily migraines,” she retold during her testimony. These health concerns have undeniably taken a toll on her faith in the medical system.
Erin Patterson’s financial history is under examination. She received inheritances from her grandmother and mother which allowed her to lend approximately $1.2 million to Simon’s siblings and their partners and purchase several properties. As noted, this financial backdrop might have exacerbated family stressors too.
Patterson’s relationship with Simon hasn’t always been easy. This tension had begun to grow significantly after an argument over child support broke out in the year leading up to the alleged murders. In a private group chat, she aired her grievances about the family she portrayed on screen, lamenting, “this famiy [sic], i swear to fucking god. Later, she did apologize for this statement, stating, “I wish I had never said that. And I feel guilty for even admitting it. I seriously hope my family never has to listen to such a statement. They didn’t deserve it.
The court heard in painful detail as witnesses described Patterson’s emotional torment over her relationship with food and her body. These struggles started during her childhood, when her mother forced brutal weight loss tactics on her. Each of these factors likely played a role in her complex relationship with cooking and meal preparation.
The prosecution is trying the case primarily on the alleged poisoning angle. When asked during the q&a session about the mushrooms used in the beef Wellington, Patterson explained that the bulk of these had been sourced from Leongatha’s local Woolworths. He added that some were shipped from an independent grocer in Melbourne. This claim may prove to be central in deciding whether she intentionally poisoned her loved ones with toxic mushrooms.
Patterson confessed to foraging wild mushrooms from her land and testing their edibility. Good news too! She added that these mushrooms are tasty and they’re healthy. This indicates that her motives were probably misguided, not evil.
As the trial moves forward, jurors must address the emotional nuance of Erin Patterson’s familial ties. That is where judges and juries will consider the full factual context surrounding the deadly lunch. Patterson was charged with three counts of murder for the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson. In addition to that, he is now facing an attempted murder charge in connection with Ian Wilkinson.