Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison. She will spend at least 33 years in prison for the murders of her family members Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson. The sentencing brought to a close a trial that revealed the horrifying, depraved circumstances of Patterson’s crime. On July 29, 2023, she attempted to murder 40 family members with poisoned beef wellingtons laced with toxic death cap mushrooms. The court convicted her of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, the only survivor of that deadly dinner.
Justice Christopher Beale, who oversaw the case, described the crimes as “senseless.” He stressed the strategic tactics behind Patterson’s work. Before the murders, she had already made a foray into death cap mushrooms on the website iNaturalist, showing clear intent and premeditation. Even her fateful decision to invite her barbarous in-laws to a midday meal was interpreted as a pretty obvious setup.
In his comments at Patterson’s sentencing, Justice Beale stressed the egregious nature of Patterson’s crime. In arguing for the long prison term, he showcased impacts of her crimes that led directly to three tragic deaths. In addition, they created permanent damage on Ian Wilkinson and ruined both the Patterson and Wilkinson families.
“Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson’s health, thereby devastating the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families, you inflicted untold suffering on your own children whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents.” – Justice Christopher Beale
Patterson’s legal troubles started when law enforcement caught onto her efforts to cover up what was actually a litany of self-inflicted health scares. This little lie helped show that her actions were premeditated in an even greater way.
Patterson has suffered 15 months worth of hellish solitary confinement. Her infamy from these egregious offences should allow her to remain here for decades further. Despite these advances, after her sentencing they moved her to the Gordon unit. She is currently based in the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre – a women’s prison – in Melbourne’s outer west.
Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding the case, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the deadly lunch, offered Patterson a rare gesture of forgiveness in court. His feelings were perhaps a rare glimpse into the tragic cycle that has led society to obsess over those who perpetuate evil.
“It’s one of the distressing shortcomings of our society that so much attention is showered on those who do evil and so little on those who do good.” – Ian Wilkinson
Justice Beale welcomed this conditional offer of forgiveness as an opportunity for Patterson to have time to consider the consequences of her actions. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he argued, would be a positive move for her in the coming years.
“That offer of forgiveness presents you with an opportunity. You would do well to embrace it in the manner he suggests.” – Justice Christopher Beale
Patterson’s unwillingness to speak during the courtroom proceedings revealed her emotional disconnection from the seriousness of her actions. She did not appear to show any remorse during sentencing, making one wonder what is going through her mind.
The seriousness of Patterson’s crimes still casts a shadow over her extended family and the community as a whole. Meanwhile, the families of the victims continue to mourn their loss every single day. They look for closure and attempt to reconcile with a future eternally changed by this infidelity.