Australia’s Mushroom Murder Trial: Survivor Says Accused Refused Help Serving Poisoned Meal

The sole survivor of a deadly lunch that claimed the lives of three members of an Australian family has told a court that the accused, Erin Patterson, refused offers of help while preparing and serving the fatal beef Wellington dish, Al Jazeera reports.

Patterson, 50, is currently on trial for the alleged murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and her former husband’s aunt, Heather Wilkinson. The case, which has captured national and international attention, centers on a meal allegedly laced with poisonous mushrooms, served at Patterson’s home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29, 2023.

She is also facing an attempted murder charge over the poisoning of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived after spending weeks in critical condition. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming the incident was a tragic accident and that she unknowingly served toxic mushrooms.

On day six of the trial at Latrobe Valley Law Courts in Morwell, Ian Wilkinson, a 71-year-old church pastor, testified that Patterson appeared “reluctant” to allow her guests into the kitchen while preparing the lunch. He said his wife and Gail Patterson had both offered to assist with plating the food, but their offers were declined.

“Both Heather and Gail were offering to help plate up the food,” Wilkinson told the jury. “The offer was rejected and Erin plated.”

Wilkinson recalled that he and his wife began experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea later that evening, symptoms they initially believed were due to gastroenteritis. His condition later deteriorated significantly, leading to his hospitalization and survival through intensive treatment. The three other guests died in the days that followed.

Describing his prior relationship with Patterson, Wilkinson said they were on amicable terms, although he characterized her as more of an acquaintance than a close friend.

Prosecutors allege that the mushrooms used in the dish were death caps — a species known to be highly toxic — and suggest that Patterson acted with intent. Her defense team maintains her innocence, arguing that she panicked following the unintended poisonings.