Alleged mushroom killer Erin Patterson left out of father-in-law’s will
The woman accused of cooking a beef wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms was not in her father-in-law’s will.
Alleged mushroom cook murderer Erin Patterson was not included in the will of her ex-father-in-law, one of the people she is accused of killing last year.
The family of Don and Gail Patterson have applied to the Victorian Supreme Court to settle the estate of the elderly couple who police allege were poisoned by Ms Patterson.
According to the Herald Sun, Don Patterson’s $2.6m estate was left to his three sons – including Ms Patterson’s ex-husband Simon – and one daughter.
Ms Patterson is accused of lacing a beef wellington with poisonous mushrooms and serving it to Don, Gail, Heather Wilkinson and Ian Wilkinson at her Leongatha home in July 2023.
Three of the lunch guests – Don, Gail and Ms Wilkinson – died, while the fourth survived after spending two months in hospital.
Ms Patterson, 49, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and five of attempted murder, relating to the alleged poisoning of Mr Wilkinson and four alleged attempts on her ex-husband Simon Patterson’s life.
Simon Patterson was due to attend the lunch on July 29 last year but pulled out.
Police allege his ex-wife tried to murder him three other times between 2021 and 2022, when he became ill after eating meals.
The Herald Sun reported last week his father’s estate included a $680,000 Korumburra home and a $695,000 unit in Oakleigh East.
It also comprised $634,000 in super, $516,000 in shares, $88,000 in cash and a $30,000 campervan.
Family members had previously filed for probate, where a court rules on whether a will is valid and executers can enact it.
Ms Patterson has always denied wrongdoing and claimed she too fell ill from the tainted meal last year.
She formally entered pleas of not guilty to all charges she is facing during a May hearing at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court
The mother remains in custody ahead of her next hearing in the Supreme Court in August.