Woman found guilty of killing her in-laws ‘had collection of mushroom books’

A woman who served a beef wellington which killed three people kept a collection of books on deadly mushrooms in her home.

Erin Patterson, who was found guilty of the deaths of three people, kept the collection of books, which included recipes featuring potentially dangerous fungi, Daily Mail Australia reported.

The 50-year-old had invited her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, to their former shared home for a ‘reconciliation’ lunch with his parents, Gail and Don Patterson, on July 29, 2023.

Mr Patterson’s aunt Heather Wilkinson and her pastor husband Ian were also present as part of the church mediation.

But Simon pulled out last minute, meaning he never consumed the lethal beef Wellington pie, which was behind the deaths of both his parents and Ms Wilkinson.

Ian was the only survivor of the deadly meal.

The source also said Ms Patterson foraged mushrooms when they were in season, and owned a number of books on the subject.

Patterson denied any wrongdoing until her guilty verdict was delivered today.

Police said the victims experienced symptoms consistent with consuming death cap mushrooms, which can cause kidney and liver failure.

The case turned on the question of whether Patterson meticulously planned a triple murder or accidentally killed three people she loved, including her children’s only surviving grandparents.

Her lawyers said she had no reason to do so – she had recently moved to a beautiful new home, was financially comfortable, had sole custody of her children and was due to begin studying for a degree in nursing and midwifery.

But prosecutors suggested Patterson had two faces – the woman who publicly appeared to have a good relationship with her parents-in-law, while her private feelings about them were kept hidden.

Patterson previously said she became unwell after eating the meal, and while in the hospital, her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, accused her of poisoning his parents.

The trial also heard that Patterson had told her friends she was hiding ‘powdered mushrooms in everything’.

A woman who met Erin through a true crime forum on Facebook has said the accused killer was a ‘bit of a super sleuth.’

Christine Hunt told the court in May how the pair met around six years ago through a group formed to discuss the trial of Keli Lane, which first had about 2,000 members.

Some of Patterson’s Facebook posts to the group were shown in court, including photos of a dehydrator that she had bought.

‘I’ve been hiding powdered mushrooms in everything. Mixed it into chocolate brownies yesterday, the kids had no idea’ Patterson said in one message to the group, The Guardian reported.

Daniela Barkley, one of the members of the group who also gave evidence in the hearing, said soon afterwards Patterson asked if anyone had cooked beef wellington, and if they had advice for the dish.

She added that Patterson posted a lot about her children, adding: ‘That’s all she cared about in life, I think … yeah, I thought she was a wonderful mother.’

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