An Australian woman has been charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, after her estranged husband’s family died eating death cap mushrooms, which can be fatal even when consumed in small amounts.
She has previously revealed the chilling question her ex-husband asked her before the nightmarish ordeal.
Erin Patterson, from Leongatha, made headlines back in 2023 after inviting her former in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson as well as Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson and Heather's husband, Reverend Ian Wilkinson, to have lunch at her home.
She prepared for the group a homemade beef wellington, which subsequently made all four guests ill with Mrs Wilkinson and Mrs Patterson both passing away, while Mr Patterson died the next day.
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Mr Wilkinson miraculously survived after weeks of treatment and a liver transplant in hospital.
Patterson had also invited her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, to the meal but he pulled out at the last-minute saying he 'felt too uncomfortable' to attend the lunch - a move which would go on to save his life.
He said: "Sorry I feel too uncomfortable about coming to lunch with you, mum, dad, Heather and Ian tomorrow but am happy to talk about your health and implications of that at another time.
"If you’d like to discuss on the phone just let me know."
Ms Patterson replied and said his decision was ‘very disappointing’ and in a lengthy follow-up message, she complained about how much time and effort she put into making the dish.
In her trial, which commenced earlier this week on Wednesday (30 April), it was discussed that a food dehydrator with Patterson's fingerprints was found dumped at a rubbish site, and prosecutors alleged it was used to prepare the mushrooms.
In a written statement to police earlier in August of 2023, Patterson addressed speculation that police had seized a food dehydrator at the local tip while investigating the case.
She admitted that she lied to the police when she told them the kitchen gadget had been dumped at the tip a 'long time ago' - before revealing that her ex had asked a chilling question at the time.
Patterson recalled how she had been at the hospital with her children 'discussing the food dehydrator' when her ex-husband asked: "Is that what you used to poison them?"
She explained that she started to feel concerned she might lose custody of her children, so panicked and ended up dumping the dehydrator.
"I now very much regret not answering some questions following this advice given the nightmare that this process has become," Patterson added at the time.
Patterson has denied all the charges against her.
Topics: Australia, Crime, Food and Drink, World News, Erin Patterson
Rhiannon Ingle