Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives with poisonous mushrooms following a trial that has gripped the world.
The Australian woman, aged 50, was found guilty of these three counts plus one of attempted murder a few hours ago following a week of jury deliberations.
Patterson was accused of trying to kill four relatives with death cap mushrooms in a beef wellington she served them in 2023. A local pastor, who was married to Patterson’s mother in-law’s sister, is the only person to have survived. He recovered after weeks of treatment in hospital. Patterson’s mother and father in-law plus mother in-law’s sister died.
The case has generated media attention around the world. TV drama has even taken notice. As we revealed last week, Australia’s ABC is making a series titled Toxic about Patterson, which will be created by Elise McCredie (Jack Irish) and Tony Ayres (The Survivors).
According to BBC News, prosecutors argued Patterson had faked a cancer diagnosis to coax the guests to her house, then poisoned them and subsequently pretended she was ill. She admitted to lying to police and medical staff throughout the trial period. She had repeatedly denied putting the poisonous mushrooms in the meal on purpose and said it took her several days to realize she may have accidentally included dried mushrooms that she had stored in a container, according to reports.
Patterson will be sentenced at a later date. The BBC reports that she could be given a full-life jail sentence.