November 3rd 2023.
Erin Patterson, a 49-year-old Australian woman, appeared in court on Friday after being accused of murder. She has been charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder, all relating to a family lunch she hosted at her home in July. During the lunch, Ms Patterson allegedly served poisonous mushrooms baked into a beef wellington, resulting in the death of three people and leaving one critically ill.
Ms Patterson maintained her innocence, and said just two words- ‘good morning’- to the judge as her case was adjourned until May 3. She did not apply for bail and will be remanded in custody in the meantime.
Court documents revealed that Ms Patterson was also accused of attempting to murder her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, on four separate occasions, including the day of the fatal lunch. His parents, Gail and Don Patterson, and aunt, Heather Wilkinson, were all killed after eating the poisoned dish. Her husband was not present, but his aunt's husband, Ian, was miraculously saved after spending two months in a hospital.
The case could ‘well go on for a very long time’, according to Ms Patterson’s lawyer, Ben Doogue. Police seized computer equipment from her home during a search, and detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the investigation ‘is not over yet’. He urged people to be mindful and avoid unnecessary speculation and sharing misinformation.
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