Australian woman found guilty of murdering 3 family members with poisonous mushrooms

An Australian woman has been found guilty of murdering three family members, and attempting to murder a fourth, by deliberately feeding them poisonous mushrooms.

A Supreme Court jury in the Australian state of Victoria on Monday unanimously convicted Erin Patterson, aged 50, of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, the parents of her husband, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. All three victims died days after eating a lunch of beef wellington prepared by Erin at her home, in July 2023.

The jury also found her guilty of the attempted murder of Heather Wilkson's husband, Ian, who survived after spending weeks in the hospital. The 10-week trial heard that all four guests were diagnosed with amanita mushroom poisoning caused by consuming poisonous death cap mushrooms. The jury started deliberations on June 30. Patterson will be sentenced at a later date.

mitv