Erin Patterson, accused of serving lethal death cap mushrooms at a lunch that led to the deaths of her relatives, testified in court that she too was affected by the meal, having vomited after indulging in dessert. On trial for three counts of murder and one of attempted murder, Patterson insists the tragedy was an accident. Prosecutors, however, claim she deliberately served the poisonous mushrooms to her guests while she avoided serious ill effects.
During her testimony, Patterson detailed her experience of preparing the meal at her home in regional Victoria, stating she had intended to make the beef Wellington dish, reminiscent of family gatherings in her childhood. After deeming the initially used mushrooms tasteless, she added dried mushrooms purchased months prior from an Asian grocer, later suggesting some of them might have been foraged types.
The incident occurred in July 2023, and in the aftermath, three invited guests—Patterson's former in-laws and a family friend—died in the hospital. The sole survivor of the lunch later provided testimony about the meal and his harrowing experience. While Patterson acknowledges consuming some of the meal, she asserts she compensated for it with excessive dessert, which ultimately made her ill.
An extensive investigation followed the incident, probing Patterson's behavior post-meal, including her disposal of a food dehydrator and deletion of data from her phone just after the tragedy unfolded. She admits to fabricating a cancer diagnosis to garner sympathy and support for her own upcoming gastric bypass surgery.
Patterson's long history with an eating disorder might further complicate the jury's perception of her actions. As the trial continues, it captivates a global audience eager to hear how this tragic family gathering turned into a courtroom drama. The next phase will include cross-examination by the prosecution as Patterson continues to tell her side of the story.
