Erin Patterson Sentenced to Life in Prison for Death Cap Mushroom Murders
- Victor Nwoko
- Sep 7
- 3 min read
An Australian woman, Erin Patterson, has been sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years for poisoning four of her estranged husband’s relatives with deadly death cap mushrooms.
Justice Christopher Beale of the Victoria Supreme Court described Patterson’s crimes as “an enormous betrayal of trust.” The 50-year-old was convicted in July of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, after serving them beef Wellington pastries laced with foraged death cap mushrooms at a family lunch in July 2023. She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived after spending weeks in the hospital.
Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had been invited to the lunch but did not attend. Beale told the court that Patterson’s victims were all relatives by marriage who had been kind to her and her children. “Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson’s health, you inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents,” the judge said.
Prosecutors argued Patterson should never be considered for parole, while defense lawyers requested parole eligibility after 30 years. Both sides agreed that a life sentence was appropriate.
Outside court, Ian Wilkinson declined to comment on the length of the sentence but expressed gratitude to police, prosecutors, health workers, and members of the public who had supported him. “Our lives and the life of our community depends on the kindness of others,” he said.
Beale also revealed that Patterson had intended to kill her estranged husband had he attended the lunch. She allegedly pretended to have been diagnosed with cancer as a reason to bring the family together. The judge accepted Ian Wilkinson’s testimony that Patterson served the guests on grey plates while she ate from a different colored plate to avoid being poisoned herself.
During sentencing, Patterson showed little emotion, at times closing her eyes or staring straight ahead. At trial, she maintained the mushrooms were included in the meal by accident, though she initially denied using foraged mushrooms at all.
Beale said her behavior suggested her “intention to kill was ongoing” and noted that no psychiatric or psychological evidence had been presented during sentencing, likely at Patterson’s instruction. He also pointed out that an antidote for death cap mushroom poisoning had not been administered to the victims in time.
Patterson has been in custody since November 2, 2023, when she was first charged. Her sentence is backdated to that date. She has 28 days to appeal her convictions or sentence.
Due to the high public interest, the Victorian Supreme Court allowed Patterson’s sentencing hearing to be broadcast live on television for the first time in history. Beale classified her as a “notorious prisoner,” kept in near-solitary conditions for her own safety, confined to her cell for at least 22 hours a day. Her only contact is with a nearby inmate convicted of terrorism, though they have never spoken directly.
The judge noted that Patterson’s notoriety is likely to continue, with books, documentaries, and television series already being developed about the case. “You are likely to remain a notorious prisoner for many years to come, and as such remain at significant risk from other prisoners,” he said.
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