The Story The mushroom killer: what the jury heard
Jul 7, 2025
Bernard Lagan, the Australian correspondent for The Times, offers an insightful breakdown of Erin Patterson’s shocking trial for allegedly murdering family members with toxic mushrooms. He highlights the courtroom drama and the jury's six-day deliberation, fueled by 40 days of compelling evidence. The conversation delves into the chilling details of the fatal luncheon, the complexities of Patterson's family dynamics, and her emotional testimony. Lagan also discusses the intense media coverage and the impact of the case on the small town of Morwell.
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Patterson's Fatal Family Lunch
- Erin Patterson invited four elderly relatives to lunch in her rural house near Melbourne in July 2023.
- The invitation was unexpected and related to tensions over her estranged husband's issues with medical payments for their children.
Deadly Beef Wellington Meal
- Erin prepared beef wellington for the lunch, incorporating mushrooms she claimed to have bought from stores.
- Three relatives fell fatally ill with liver failure due to death cap mushroom poisoning after the meal.
Death Cap Mushrooms Explained
- Death cap mushrooms grow only in southeastern Australia beneath oak trees and look similar to non-toxic mushrooms.
- They are extremely toxic and cause liver failure, rarely leaving survivors.