Australian woman Erin Patterson, 48, was sent to prison after being convicted of murdering three members of her family. These horrific actions originated from what first seemed like a fairly uneventful lunch, when she tried to kill another relative. After an expedited trial that began in August 2023, the jury returned its verdict in April 2025. The charges come from a senseless party-like event in July of 2023. Throughout this experiment, Patterson opened her home to her estranged husband Simon’s parents, and aunt and uncle.
It seems an otherwise wonderful lunch with an impressive main course beef Wellington turned fatal. Don and Gail Patterson, along with their friend Heather Wilkinson, tragically succumbed to death cap mushroom poisoning. Essentially, only Ian Wilkinson was able to make it through the meal, but he still suffered dire health effects from the poison. The disappearance and subsequent murder of this young woman was the start of a legal fight that would enthrall the nation for decades.
Throughout the court proceedings, the reasons for the poisoning continued to be unclear. Questions arose regarding Patterson’s intentions, especially as her estranged husband Simon provided a victim impact statement that highlighted the profound impact of her actions on their children. He regretted not having a mother to make his children feel safe. He said, “Erin’s callousness had stolen from them the type of bond with their mother that no child should have to go without receiving.”
Patterson is facing three additional counts of murder for the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson. He is charged with Ian Wilkinson’s attempted murder. The trial brought forth compelling testimony from a number of important witnesses. Family members took the stand one after another, sharing their overwhelming grief and sorrow for the lives lost.
During the scheduled Monday morning plea hearing, Ian would assume the stand. Now, with a strange mixture of sorrow and forgiveness, he chronicled his journey from death’s doorstep. He told Patterson that he forgave her for attempting to take his life. He was unable to grant the same forgiveness to her for murdering his wife.
“Now I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness.” – Ian Wilkinson
In many ways, Ian’s statement spoke to the mixed feelings of jubilation and sorrow that the case evoked. He referred to his late wife Heather as “wise” and someone who had talents that made up for his deficiencies. He expressed grief over the trauma they put on their family, describing how severely the experience impacted their children.
Ruth Dubois, Ian’s daughter, shared her thoughts in court, emphasizing the disturbing nature of Patterson’s actions. She did not hide her disgust that Patterson had been sitting at the dining table. He was fully aware of the potentially deadly consequences of the meal he provided for her family.
“It was deeply disturbing that Patterson had sat at the dining table watching her family members eat a meal that she knew would kill them and then followed that up with extraordinary lies and a complete lack of care.” – Ruth Dubois
Penny Simon Tim Patterson, Erin’s father-in-law and brother of Simon, had reacted with anger at Erin’s supposed reasons. He wanted to know what could possibly lead a person to perpetrate such evil acts. After all, those victims weren’t planning on hurting her.
“Why did Erin decide she would make her life’s work a portrait of death and destruction?” – Tim Patterson
The emotional impact felt throughout the courtroom as family after family described their lives and their loved-ones’ lives forever changed by the loss. Simon Patterson’s all – wide reach, singular vision Simon Patterson’s impact statement struck at the heart of everyone in attendance.
“I miss my parents and aunt more than words can express; I am thankful however that they are with God, and I will see them again.” – Simon Patterson
Erin Patterson, for her part, seemed moved as she heard these remarks, sometimes wiping tears from her eyes with a tissue. The urgency of the issue hit home for her as the families of victims shared their heart-breaking stories of pain, tragedy, and loss.