Summary
Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them a meal containing deadly mushrooms. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder a fourth person who survived. Evidence showed she lied about the source of the mushrooms and disposed of items to hide her actions.
Key Facts
- Erin Patterson, from Victoria, Australia, was convicted of murder and attempted murder.
- Three people, including her former in-laws, died after eating a beef Wellington meal with death cap mushrooms.
- A fourth person, Ian Wilkinson, survived after hospital treatment.
- Patterson claimed she bought the mushrooms from an Asian grocery but couldn't provide proof.
- Investigators found evidence she had searched for death cap mushrooms online and visited areas where they were found.
- Her phone data showed she bought a food dehydrator, which had traces of deadly mushrooms.
- Patterson disposed of the dehydrator at a dump after the meal, contradicting her claims of never owning one.
- Death cap mushrooms are very toxic, and their toxins cannot be removed by cooking or drying.
