The Australian woman at the center of a high-profile mushroom poisoning case, Erin Patterson, has been sentenced to three life terms with a non-parole period of 33 years for the murder of three relatives during a 2023 family lunch.
The sentencing was delivered on Monday by Justice Christopher Beale at Melbourne’s Supreme Court and broadcast live due to overwhelming public interest in the case.
Patterson, 50, was convicted in July of serving a beef wellington dish laced with death cap mushrooms to her guests, resulting in the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson—parents of her estranged husband, Simon Patterson—and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson. Heather’s husband, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, survived the meal but was critically ill for several weeks.
For the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Patterson received a concurrent 25-year sentence.
Justice Beale, in his remarks, said the murders involved “substantial premeditation” and an “elaborate cover-up” that unravelled as her lies were exposed.
“I am satisfied by July 16, 2023, when you unusually invited Simon, his parents, and aunt and uncle to a lunch without the children to discuss your non-existent medical issue, you did so with the intention of killing them all,” Beale stated.
While prosecutors had pushed for life imprisonment without parole, the judge noted Patterson’s widespread notoriety and the likelihood she would spend most of her incarceration in protective custody. Nonetheless, he stressed the severity of the crime.
“The devastating impact of your crimes is not limited to your direct victims, your crimes have harmed a great many people,” he said.
The Fatal Lunch
The incident occurred on July 31, 2023, when Patterson invited five relatives to her home in Leongatha, Victoria.
Simon Patterson reportedly declined the invitation due to unease, leaving his parents and the Wilkinsons to attend. Days later, Don, Gail, and Heather were dead, all having suffered organ failure consistent with death cap mushroom poisoning. Ian Wilkinson remained in intensive care for weeks before recovering.
Simon later alleged that Erin had previously attempted to poison him, though three charges of attempted murder relating to earlier incidents were dropped before trial.
During the court proceedings, the jury heard evidence that Patterson had sourced the mushrooms using a citizen science website and used a food dehydrator—later discarded—to prepare them. She also misled investigators by claiming the mushrooms were store-bought and that her children had consumed leftovers, which proved untrue.
Although no definitive motive was established, the prosecution cited messages that reflected deep animosity toward her in-laws. One message from December 2022 read: “I’m sick of this shit I want nothing to do with them.” Another stated: “This family I swear to f***ing god.”
A Global Spotlight on a Quiet Town
The trial, held in regional Victoria, attracted global media attention and inspired documentaries and podcasts. Defense lawyers argued that the poisonings were accidental, but a jury of 12 returned a unanimous guilty verdict after a 10-week trial and six days of deliberation.
Outside the courtroom, survivor Ian Wilkinson paid tribute to his late wife and thanked those who supported him throughout the ordeal. He expressed gratitude to police, healthcare workers, prosecutors, and the broader community.
“I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness,” he said in a powerful public statement.
Erin Patterson has until October 6 to file an appeal against her conviction or sentence.
