For nearly two years, the public has only heard pieces of the story behind one of Australia’s most shocking murder cases. But now, following Erin Patterson’s conviction for three counts of murder and one of attempted murder, the full picture is finally coming into focus.
The Victorian mother of two was found guilty of deliberately serving a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms to four members of her extended family, killing three and leaving the fourth fighting for his life.
Now, evidence previously suppressed can be made public, including photos of the beef Wellington itself, the moment Patterson handed over a phone to police and CCTV showing her at hospital following the fatal lunch.
The Victorian woman was found guilty this week of murdering three of her former in-laws and attempting to kill a fourth with a poisonous lunch. (Source: 1News)
A meal that killed three
Released images include the first photo of the meal served at the centre of the case: the home-cooked beef Wellington Erin Patterson made for her in-laws on July 29, 2023. Three of them - Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson - died within days. Pastor Ian Wilkinson survived, but only after a liver transplant.
Other pieces of evidence included CCTV of Patterson walking through hospital corridors the day after the meal reportedly seeking treatment, as well as images of the food dehydrator prosecutors said was used to prepare the toxic mushrooms which was found dumped at a local tip.
Also released were police photos showing Patterson handing over a phone during a search - a device investigators said had been reset multiple times, including remotely when it was in police custody. The prosecution said it was not her primary phone.
The jury were also shown maps, witness statements, forensic reports and digital search history - including searches for deadly mushrooms, cooking techniques, and foraging websites.
A case built on 'deception'
While the defence claimed the Crown relied on circumstantial evidence, Nanette Rogers told jurors it was Patterson’s pattern of deception that revealed her intent.
Prosecutors highlighted four key lies:
- Claiming to have cancer to lure her in-laws to the lunch
- Changing stories about the mushroom source citing multiple grocers and suburbs
- Denying she owned a food dehydrator later found to contain death cap DNA
- Providing police with a secondary phone and the wrong mobile number
The jury was ultimately convinced beyond reasonable doubt that these were not accidents, but deliberate attempts to cover up a planned poisoning.
Fresh revelations Patterson allegedly tampered with prison food
Although the trial has ended, Patterson’s legal saga may not be over.
Multiple Australian media outlets are reporting fresh allegations from inside prison, where Patterson is being held on remand. She’s been accused of tampering with food that allegedly made another inmate sick.
Patterson was "thrown in the slot" (prison isolation) after a fellow inmate claimed she fell ill after eating food Patterson may have handled. While no formal charges had been laid, prison authorities have confirmed an internal investigation is underway.
Victoria’s Department of Justice said it does not comment on individual prisoners but later confirmed there was "no evidence to support that there has been any contaminated food or suspected poisonings at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre".
The fresh claims come the day after her conviction. Patterson's defence team denied any wrongdoing and described the accusation as "baseless".
Reporting on the alleged incident was previously restricted while Patterson’s trial was ongoing.
'Large sentence' awaits triple-murderer
The focus now shifts to her sentencing.
Under Victorian law, each count of murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and the attempted murder charge can result in up to 25 years in prison.
While the court has not yet scheduled a sentencing date, it is anticipated that a separate hearing will be held where both the prosecution and defence will present arguments regarding the appropriate sentence.
1News Australia correspondent Aziz Al Sa’afin speaks to Breakfast in the wake of yesterday’s verdict. (Source: Breakfast)
The judge will consider factors such as the severity of the crime, any mitigating circumstances and the impact on the victims' families before delivering the final sentence.
Given the gravity of the offences and the extensive evidence presented during the trial, Patterson faces the possibility of spending the remainder of her life in prison.
Patterson's legal team has not yet indicated whether they will appeal the verdict.
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