Erin Patterson is an Australian woman who gained international attention following her conviction in July 2025 for the 2023 deaths of three family members and the near-fatal poisoning of a fourth. The incident, known as the “Leongatha mushroom murders,” occurred after Patterson served a beef Wellington laced with toxic death cap mushrooms to her former in-laws and their relatives during a lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29, 2023.
Born Erin Trudi Scutter on September 30, 1974, Patterson grew up in Glen Waverley, a suburb of Melbourne. She initially pursued science at the University of Melbourne but later switched to accounting. Patterson also trained to be an air traffic controller and graduated in 2001. She worked in various roles, including as an air traffic controller with Airservices Australia and later with the RSPCA Australia at the Monash City Council’s headquarters. In 2004, she began dating Simon Patterson, an engineer at Monash City Council. They married and had two children before separating around 2020.
On the day of the lunch, Patterson invited her estranged husband, Simon, but he did not attend. The meal, which included beef Wellington, was served to Don and Gail Patterson (her former in-laws), Heather Wilkinson (Gail’s sister), and Ian Wilkinson (Heather’s husband). Within 24 hours, all four guests were hospitalized with severe liver failure. Don, Gail, and Heather died within six days; Ian survived after a liver transplant.
Patterson claimed she had foraged the mushrooms herself and had no knowledge of their toxicity. However, investigations revealed she had previously accessed iNaturalist, a website tracking mushroom sightings, including those of death cap mushrooms in the area. Additionally, a food dehydrator found at her home contained traces of the toxic mushrooms.
In November 2023, Patterson was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. The charges included attempted murder of her estranged husband, Simon, but these were later dropped. The trial commenced in April 2025 and concluded in July 2025 with a guilty verdict on all charges. The jury found that Patterson deliberately included the toxic mushrooms in the meal and engaged in a cover-up, including lying about a cancer diagnosis to lure guests and disposing of the food dehydrator.
Patterson faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing proceedings pending. The case has garnered significant media attention due to the unusual nature of the crime, particularly involving a woman, as poisoning is statistically rare among female offenders. Criminologists have noted that female perpetrators often act in response to abuse, but Patterson’s motives remain unclear, adding to public intrigue.
Early Life and Education
Erin Trudi Patterson (née Scutter) was born on September 30, 1974, in Glen Waverley, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. In 1992, she was accepted into a science course at the University of Melbourne but later switched to accounting. Patterson also trained to be an air traffic controller and graduated in 2001. She worked in various roles, including as an air traffic controller with Airservices Australia and later with the RSPCA Australia at the Monash City Council’s headquarters. In 2004, she began dating Simon Patterson, an engineer at Monash City Council. They married and had two children before separating around 2020.
Career
Patterson’s early career was marked by a series of diverse roles. After completing her training as an air traffic controller, she worked with Airservices Australia in Melbourne. She later transitioned to animal management with the RSPCA Australia at the Monash City Council’s headquarters. In 2004, she began a relationship with Simon Patterson, and they eventually married and had two children. The couple lived in Korumburra before moving to Leongatha, where the tragic incident occurred.
The Incident
The Fatal Lunch
On July 29, 2023, Erin Patterson invited her estranged husband Simon’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian Wilkinson, to her home in Leongatha for a lunch. During the meal, Patterson served individual beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms, a highly toxic variety. Within 24 hours, all four guests were hospitalized with severe liver failure. Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson died within six days; Don Patterson died a day later. Ian Wilkinson survived after a liver transplant and several weeks in the hospital.
Investigations and Evidence
Investigations revealed that Patterson had previously accessed iNaturalist, a website tracking mushroom sightings, including those of death cap mushrooms in the area. A food dehydrator found at her home contained traces of the toxic mushrooms. Patterson initially denied owning the dehydrator but later admitted to discarding it. She also claimed to have foraged the mushrooms herself and had no knowledge of their toxicity. However, prosecutors argued that she deliberately included the toxic mushrooms in the meal and engaged in a cover-up.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
In November 2023, Patterson was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. The charges included attempted murder of her estranged husband, Simon, but these were later dropped. The trial commenced in April 2025 and concluded in July 2025 with a guilty verdict on all charges. The jury found that Patterson deliberately included the toxic mushrooms in the meal and engaged in a cover-up, including lying about a cancer diagnosis to lure guests and disposing of the food dehydrator.
Sentencing and Public Reaction
Patterson faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing proceedings pending. The case has garnered significant media attention due to the unusual nature of the crime, particularly involving a woman, as poisoning is statistically rare among female offenders. Criminologists have noted that female perpetrators often act in response to abuse, but Patterson’s motives remain unclear, adding to public intrigue.
Personal Life
Erin Patterson has two children. She has described her lifelong battles with eating disorders and low self-esteem, which she claims began in childhood. In her testimony, she mentioned that her mother would weigh her weekly to ensure she wasn’t gaining too much weight, leading her to extreme measures to avoid eating. She also spoke about her religious conversion and described her struggles with self-worth as a “never-ending battle.”
Net Worth
As of now, Erin Patterson’s net worth is not publicly known. Her financial situation has not been a focal point in media coverage of the case.
Husband
Erin Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was invited to the lunch but did not attend. He had been in a relationship with Erin since 2004, and they have two children together. The couple separated around 2020. Simon has not publicly commented on the case.
Conclusion
Erin Patterson’s case has shocked Australia and the world, raising questions about motive, gender, and justice. While the jury found her guilty of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth, Patterson’s motives remain unclear, adding to the public’s fascination with the case. As sentencing proceedings approach, the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy.
FAQs
What was Erin Patterson convicted of?
Erin Patterson was convicted of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for poisoning her estranged husband’s relatives with death cap mushrooms.
What happened during the fatal lunch?
On July 29, 2023, Patterson served a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms to her guests. Within 24 hours, all four guests were hospitalized; three died, and one survived after a liver transplant.
What was Patterson’s defense?
Patterson claimed the deaths were accidental and that she had foraged the mushrooms herself without knowing they were toxic.
What evidence led to her conviction?
Investigators found traces of toxic mushrooms in a food dehydrator at Patterson’s home and evidence that she had researched death cap mushrooms.
What is the maximum sentence Patterson faces?
Patterson faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing proceedings pending.
What did Patterson say about her personal struggles?
Patterson spoke about her lifelong battles with eating disorders and low self-esteem, which she claims began in childhood.
Was Simon Patterson involved in the incident?
No, Simon Patterson was invited to the lunch but did not attend.
What is the status of Patterson’s sentencing?
Sentencing proceedings are pending, and Patterson faces a potential life sentence.
