Our Journalists

Anthony Dowsley is a senior journalist based in Melbourne for the National News Network who has a special interest in investigating crime and the justice system. In 2018 he was named the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year and won the Gold Walkley the following year for his investigation into the Lawyer X scandal involving lawyer-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo. Contact Anthony at anthony.dowsley@news.com.au

Anthony Dowsley

Latest

The Mushroom Cook

Erin Patterson had a plan for her children to grow up in her $1.2m dollar “forever” home where she murdered three people, but now that has drastically changed.

Erin Patterson killed three people in her home. Now what happens to it?

Erin Patterson had a plan for her children to grow up in her $1.2m dollar “forever” home — but now she’s been found guilty of murder, that has drastically changed.

The Mushroom Cook

This picture taken on May 12, 2025 shows Erin Patterson arriving in the back of a prison transport vehicle at Latrobe Valley Magistrate's Court in Morwell, Australia. An Australian woman murdered her husband's parents and aunt by lacing their beef Wellington lunch with toxic mushrooms, a jury found on July 7 at the climax of a trial watched around the world. Keen home cook Erin Patterson hosted an intimate meal in July 2023 that started with good-natured banter and earnest prayer -- but ended with three guests dead. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / For any use in Australia and New Zealand, please contact the AFP sales department at sydsales@afp.com or +61 405 149 534.

How long mushroom cook could be behind bars

Criminal lawyers have weighed in on Erin Patterson’s jail term as the triple killer could join the likes of Australia’s most heinous killers behind bars.

Police & Courts

Owner of firebombed Toorak cosmetic clinic linked to Bali shooting

The Toorak skin clinic which was set alight in an overnight firebombing is owned by a woman embroiled in the deadly Bali shootings last month, the Herald Sun can reveal.

The Mushroom Cook

Erin Patterson set to appeal, as families could claim compo

Erin Patterson is set to appeal her convictions after being returned to prison, and a legal expert says the families involved could potentially claim compensation against the wealthy killer.

Crime in Focus

(FILES) Simon Patterson, estranged husband of Erin Patterson, leaves Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court in Morwell on May 2, 2025. An Australian woman murdered her husband's parents and aunt by lacing their beef Wellington lunch with toxic mushrooms, a jury found on July 7, 2025 at the climax of a trial watched around the world. Keen home cook Erin Patterson hosted an intimate meal in July 2023 that started with good-natured banter and earnest prayer -- but ended with three guests dead. (Photo by MARTIN KEEP / AFP)

$500,000 offer: Mushroom murder spurs media frenzy

The estranged husband of triple murderer Erin Patterson has been inundated with lucrative media offers.

The Mushroom Cook

(FILES) A handout sketch received from the Supreme Court of Victoria on April 29, 2025 shows Erin Patterson, an Australian woman accused of murdering three people with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington, as she faces trial in a case that has grabbed global attention. An Australian woman murdered her husband's parents and aunt by lacing their beef Wellington lunch with toxic mushrooms, a jury found on July 7, 2025 at the climax of a trial watched around the world. (Photo by Paul Tyquin / SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT

Erin Patterson’s surprise reaction to guilty verdict

The mushroom cook who killed her in-laws with a beef wellington expressed little emotion as she was condemned in the courtroom.

ExclusiveThe Mushroom Cook

*File image* Erin Patterson in Melbourne, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

Mushroom cook accused of tampering with prison food

Erin Patterson was given time in solitary confinement after she was accused by another inmate of tampering with prison food while waiting for her high-profile trial to begin.

The Mushroom Cook

Homicide Squad detectives at the Wonthaggi house of Erin Patterson. An AFP officer and AFP police technology detector dog search the car of Erin Patterson. Picture : Ian Currie

How the cops’ investigation at Erin’s house unfolded

The homicide squad trawled over every facet of Erin Patterson’s life and her home. Detectives collected and reviewed CCTV, phone data, messages, medical and bank records and more.

National

NETWORK SPECIAL. NO NEWS,COM OR AUS, PLEASE CONTACT NETWORK PICTURE DESK BEFORE PUBLISHING. - Three Australian suspect on Bali shooting paraded in front of Journalist during the Press Conference by Bali Police Chief General Daniel Adityajaya in Badung Police Station in Bali. (Photo. Lukman S. Bintoro)

New Bali DNA and firearm update as three Aussies may face firing squad

Indonesian police are taking new steps to investigate three Australians who may face the firing squad over a targeted execution in Bali that involved a Melbourne underworld figure.

The Mushroom Cook

Inside the mind of Erin Patterson, the mushroom murderer

Erin Patterson is now a triple murderer. She armed herself by getting in her red MG to go to a wet footy ground and sniff out nature’s random offerings of doom. But what was her motive?

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/anthony-dowsley/page/2