Wife accused of poisoning family with mushrooms 'tried to kill ex four times'

03 November 2023 , 23:03

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Erin Patterson is accused of murder and attempted murder

A woman accused of serving her ex-husband and his family with fatally poisoned meals tried to kill him “four times” with her deadly cuisine, a court heard.

Erin Patterson, 49, was arrested by police on Thursday at her home in Leongatha, Australia, where her former husband Simon Patterson, his parents Gail and Don Patterson, Simon's sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian had been invited to lunch on July 29. After eating the alleged poisoned Beef Wellington dish her parents-in-law and aunt-in-law were admitted to hospital and died days later. Baptist pastor Ian spent seven weeks in hospital recovering. Simon missed the fatal lunch but court documents were said to show she had tried to kill him four times, dating back to November 2021.

Simon Patterson was due to also attend the fatal meal

Police say she put mushrooms known as amanita phalloides and containing lethal toxins, in the meal. She had previously claimed to have bought them at a supermarket. Officers are said to have found a food dehydrator used to prepare the mail found at a nearby dump. Patterson has not yet entered a plea but previously said: “I didn't do anything. I loved them. I just can't fathom what has happened.”

Don and Gail Patterson both died after eating the beef wellington (supplied)

Police allege Simon Patterson became ill after eating three meals in 2021 and 2022, but did not specify his wife’s alleged involvement. The defendant's two children were at home during lunch in July but did not share the meal. Officers Police searched Patterson's house on Thursday with what they described as "technology detection dogs who are trained to find electronic storage devices hidden in wall cavities and containers of food.

Heather was killed but her husband survived (7 NEWS/UNPIXS)

Police say the symptoms of the four family members who attended the lunch were consistent with poisoning from wild Amanita phalloides, known as death cap mushrooms. Erin Patterson has publicly denied any wrongdoing.

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Prosecutor Greg Ellis requested the case be adjourned for 20 weeks to allow police time to analyse computer equipment seized from the home. Magistrate Tim Walsh ordered Erin Patterson to remain in custody and appear in court next on May 3. Walsh told her it was important that her case "progresses through the system as fast as possible". She replied "OK" and nodded her head. The potential maximum sentence in Victoria for murder is life imprisonment, and for attempted murder, 25 years in prison.

Antony Clements-Thrower