Erin Patterson: Mushroom cook mural updated after verdict

A graffiti mural of killer cook Erin Patterson has been updated after she was found guilty of poisoning her husband’s family.

A graffiti mural of Erin Patterson located in a Melbourne laneway has been updated with a bold change after the killer cook was found guilty of poisoning four in-laws.

The mural, titled “Bon Appetit” by Jarrod Grech, was first spotted mid-trial on June 15 in a laneway near the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.

But it was updated in the 24 hours since Patterson, 50, was found guilty of killing three members of her husband Simon Patterson’s family and the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson.

Plastered in large red lettering reminiscent of a stamp, the word “guilty” now covers Patterson’s face – about 130km from where the poisoned lunch took place in Leongatha.

The mural was first spotted in mid June. Picture: NewsWire / Ian Currie

It now contains a bold ‘guilty’ stamp. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

The lunch guests fell critically ill after they were served a beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms at Patterson’s home on July 29, 2023.

Don and Gail Patterson and Mr Wilkinson’s wife Heather died in the week following the lunch.

At trial, prosecutors argued Patterson, who pleaded not guilty, intentionally sought out and included the deadly fungi in the lunch, while she claimed she did not deliberately poison her guests.

Lunch survivor’s message after verdict

Mr Wilkinson has shared a message as his family continue to grieve the deaths of three loved ones.

Posted on the noticeboard outside the Korumburra Baptist Church on Tuesday, he is quoted as saying “life can be hard, but God is faithful”.

Ian Wilkinson gave evidence in the trial. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

He has been the Korumburra Baptist Church pastor for more than two decades. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Attributed to the church’s leadership team, where Mr Wilkinson has served as pastor for more than two decades, the message asks for privacy during the “difficult time”.

“We all greatly miss Heather, Don and Gail, whether we were friends for a short time or over 20 years. They were very special people who loved God and lived to bless others,” the messages reads.

“It’s been a long journey, and we continue to lovingly support Ian, Simon and all the Wilkinson and Patterson family members through this difficult time.

The message is posted outside the church. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The note contains a moving message from survivor Ian Wilkinson. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“We appreciate all the care from our local communities, special support from individuals and from the Baptist Union of Victoria, and the churches and people from all over the world who have been praying for us.

“As our Pastor Ian has said; ‘Life can be hard, but God is faithful, and He is always with us’.

“The Wilkinson and Patterson families have asked that people respect their privacy at this time. Please also respect the privacy of our church family.”

The morning after jurors returned a unanimous guilty verdict in Morwell following a 46-day trial, the towns of Korumburra and Leongatha, where the Pattersons and Wilkinsons live, were quiet, cold and overcast.

Small contingents of media were posted outside the homes of Simon and Mr Wilkinson from the early hours of the day.At the front of the two properties, notices requesting privacy were fixed to fences.

“Warning: entry to this property by any persons employed by or working on behalf of the media is not permitted,” a sign outside Mr Wilkinson’s home reads.

“Trespassers will be reported to the police.”

A warning is posted outside Simon Patterson’s house. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Just minutes away at the Korumburra Cemetery, where Don, Gail and Ms Wilkinson are buried, several mourners paid their respects to others interred there.

The sound of wind permeated the hilltop cemetery, punctuated only by the bellows of cattle on three sides of the burial grounds.

A small bouquet of artificial flowers adorned Don and Gail’s grave.

A view of the Korumburra Cemetery. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Speaking to media two hours after the verdict came down on Monday, Detective Inspector Dean Thomas requested privacy for the Patterson and Wilkinson families.

“It’s very important that we remember we’ve had three people; three people died and we’ve had a person that nearly died and was seriously injured as a result; that has led to these charges,” he said.

“I ask that we acknowledge those people and not forget them. I ask also that the Patterson family and Wilkinson family have asked for privacy during this time.”

Originally published as Erin Patterson: Mushroom cook mural updated after verdict