Erin Patterson found guilty of triple murder over lethal beef wellington lunch
A jury has found Erin Patterson deliberately murdered her lunch guests by feeding them a beef wellington laced with lethal death cap mushrooms.
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Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murder.
Patterson, 50, has been convicted of the murders of her estranged husband’s parents Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, and the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, 71.
The cold-blooded murderer had maintained the tragic deaths were nothing but a “terrible accident”, claiming she unwittingly added lethal death cap mushrooms to the beef wellingtons she served them at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023.
However, a Supreme Court jury rejected her countless lies, finding the mother of two purposefully poisoned her elderly guests then tried to cover it up in a desperate bid to get away with murder.
Wearing a paisley blouse, Patterson cut a lonely figure in the dock of the Morwell courtroom from where her high-profile trial has made global headlines.
She remained seated as the young associate to Justice Christopher Beale asked the jury forewoman for the verdicts.
“Guilty,” the forewoman replied four times.
Patterson looked at the jury as the verdicts were handed down at 2.18pm.
She was expressionless.
Despite attending most days of the trial, the Patterson and Wilkinson families, including Ian, were not in court to learn the verdicts.
However, senior members of the Homicide Squad were seated in the front row.
It took the jurors exactly one week to reach their verdicts, having started their deliberations last Monday.
Justice Beale thanked the panel for being an “exceptional” jury and expressed his “heartfelt thanks”.
Patterson will be sentenced at a later date after a plea hearing, where the aggravating and mitigating factors will be laid out.
No date has been set for that hearing.
Justice Beale asked everyone to clear the courtroom to allow Patterson to talk to her defence team.
Outside court, Patterson’s close friend Ali Prior was mobbed by cameras.
“I’m saddened and it is what it is,” she told reporters.
Ms Prior confirmed that she had not had a chance to talk to Patterson, but that she would “see her soon”.
When asked if she expected her friend to be found not guilty, she said: “I didn’t have any expectations. It’s the justice system and it has to be what it is.”
Media adviser to the Pattersons, Jessica O’Donnell, walked out of the courthouse shortly after and made no comment.
Patterson’s defence team, led by Mr Mandy, were also tight-lipped as they departed.
In chaotic scenes, almost one hundred journalists, photographers and camera crews were gathered in the forecourt outside the courthouse.
Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said Don, Gail and Heather must not be forgotten.
“I think it’s very important we remember three people have died and we’ve had a person who nearly died and was seriously injured as a result and has led to these charges,” he told reporters outside court.
“I ask that we acknowledge those people and not forget them. The Patterson and Wilkinson family have asked for privacy at this time.”
Inspector Thomas thanked the prosecution team for their work on the case.
“I would just like to acknowledge the decision of the jury and I would also like to acknowledge investigators who have worked on this investigation since July 2023 right through to today,” he said.
“I would also like to thank specialist services that have assisted us throughout the court of the investigation.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Office of Public Prosecutions, the prosecution team in particular for the work they have put in the lead up to this trial and obviously during this trial.”
In a statement, a Victoria Police spokesperson said: “Victoria Police acknowledges the decision of the jury today.
“Our thoughts are with the respective families at this time and we acknowledge how difficult these past two years have been for them.
“We will continue to support them in every way possible following this decision.
“We would also like to acknowledge the work of Homicide Squad detectives over the course of this complex investigation, as well as the significant support received from a number of other areas across Victoria Police.”
Originally published as Erin Patterson found guilty of triple murder over lethal beef wellington lunch
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