Australian Erin Patterson currently figures at the center of a highly charged criminal case. She is charged with the murders of her ex–mother and father-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, and her aunt Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson. The alleged breach concerns a fundraising lunch she hosted at her home in Leongatha over 29 July 2023. She served up beef wellington, which is now believed to have been laced with deadly mushrooms.
On that fateful day, Patterson allegedly shared the news that she had cancer to her attendees. But her attorneys eventually walked back that statement when it became clear that there was no medical record to support this assertion. After the meal, several guests fell very ill, raising suspicions of mushroom poisoning.
Later that day, Patterson attempted to get medical help. She released herself from the hospital only five minutes after toxicologist Dr. Christopher Webster advised her that she was at risk of potentially deadly death cap mushroom poisoning. Her choice was quick, loud and rebellious. This shocking decision has turned heads and prompted discussions about her knowledge of the absurd winding ramifications it would cause.
When visiting the hospital expecting her second child, Patterson told Dr. Webster that her kids had eaten some of the meat from the beef wellington. They weren’t allowed to work with the mushrooms or pastry. Yet this assertion is now at the center of the investigation’s focal point. Contrary to her representations, Patterson had self-discharged from the hospital twice before in the weeks leading up to this incident.
Financial circumstances complicate the story even further. Patterson took out a loan of just under $400,000 from her ex-in-laws. And on top of that, there were signs of trauma in her private life. She laments that her relationship with Simon and is honest about that feeling with his children. When she needed more, she sought out her husband’s brother, Apostolic Matthew Patterson, for guidance on getting Simon to agree to marriage counseling.
Patterson’s behavior after the lunch came under fire, too. She even seemed reluctant for her children to get their vaccines post-meal, leaving even more doubt over her motivations.
After the shooting, police arrested Patterson and searched her home extensively in July 2023. As part of her investigative work, she did find the source of the mushrooms purveyed for the beef wellington. They were bought at Woolies and an Asian grocery store in Oakleigh.
The case took a surprising turn. Erin Patterson has been charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The community is still reeling from what came to pass in this heartbreaking episode.
In the court proceedings that followed, a friend of Patterson’s compellingly recounted her shocking phone call with Patterson. As she put it, “They can be frightened and living, or dead.” This backhanded statement has only served to deepen the seriousness of her plight and the public’s desire to follow the case.
“Yes, we were surprised also, that had never happened before.” – Dubois’ mother
It’s Patterson’s family interactions after the incident that have raised even bigger red flags. Later that day, after lunch, she shared her experience with Simon’s kids. In addition to being visibly hurt that their romantic connection was going nowhere, she expressed her deep emotional pain.
The criminal investigation is still active. Suddenly, everyone is concerned with just how Patterson’s personal and financial dynamics played a role in shaping his alleged misdeeds. Law enforcement will need to continue to provide transparency as they continue to investigate this intricate and complicated case.
Today, the community in Leongatha continues to deal with lingering questions about what went wrong that day. They are, quite frankly, hungry to know how those disclosures will play out. Patterson is not unique in now facing these very serious allegations. That trial will focus attention on her specific situation and bring needed visibility to larger questions about toxic domestic relationships and mental health.