Hidden items sniffed out by dogs at mushroom murder accused’s house
It took a six-hour search by Australian Federal Police technology detector dogs before hidden items were uncovered in Erin Patterson’s Leongatha home.
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Five iPads, two secure digital cards, a smart watch and trail camera were among several hidden items found at the home of accused mushroom murderer Erin Patterson during intense police raids last year.
Australian Federal Police technology detector dogs were brought in to assist Victoria Police executing a search warrant at her Leongatha home on November 2.
The six-hour search began after Ms Patterson, 49, was that morning arrested and charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder in relation to a beef Wellington lunch at her house on July 29.
“Technology Detector Dog Georgia found one USB, a micro secure digital card and a SIM card,” AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday night.
“Technology Detector Dog Alma found a mobile phone, five iPads, a trail camera, and secure digital card and a smart watch.
“These were not found during initial searches undertaken by officers.”
The mother of two remains behind bars after police were granted a 20-week adjournment to build their brief of evidence – including analysis of a computer seized during the raid – which is due to be served on March 25.
The three murder charges and two of the attempted murder charges relate to the July 29 beef Wellington lunch allegedly laced with death cap mushrooms that resulted in four people becoming ill and being taken to hospital the next day.
Ms Patterson’s mother-in-law Gail Patterson and father-in-law Don Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, all died after eating the meal.
Ian Wilkinson, a pastor and Heather’s husband, spent time in ICU and two months in hospital but survived.
Originally published as Hidden items sniffed out by dogs at mushroom murder accused’s house
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