‘Poison cook’ Erin Patterson ‘loved mushrooms and hid them in everything’ Facebook pals say before deadly meal

MUSHROOM cook Erin Patterson loved the fungi so much that she secretly hid them in all sorts of dishes, a court has head.

An Australian woman is currently on trial for three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The charges stem from an incident in 2023 when she cooked a poisonous beef Wellington.

Woman giving an interview, visibly upset.
Erin Patterson has been accused of murdering three and the attempted murder of a fourthCredit: News.com.au.
Erin Patterson in Melbourne, Australia.
Patterson arriving at court in Melbourne in AprilCredit: AP
Close-up of two mushrooms held in gloved hands.
Death cap mushrooms were found inside the beef Wellington Patterson cookedCredit: Nine
Timeline of events leading to Erin Patterson's murder charges.

The 50-year-old woman, Patterson, is accused of intentionally adding death cap mushrooms to the dish, resulting in the deaths of her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister Heather.

Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During the court proceedings at the Supreme Court of Victoria, it was revealed that the accused had a connection with an online true-crime group, to whom she would share updates about her experiences cooking with mushrooms.

Several of the friends were called to give evidence at the trial about their interactions with the Leongatha mother.

One message written by Patterson and shown to the court said: “I’ve been hiding powdered mushrooms in everything.

“Mixed it into chocolate brownies yesterday, the kids had no idea.”

Another pal, Daniela Barkley, said Patterson had asked the group for advice on cooking beef Wellington and had been looking for the right meat in the fortnight leading up to the lunch.

In the lead up to the deadly lunch, Patterson shared pictures of a food dehydrator and seemed to be a fan of mushrooms.

One picture shown to the court showed chopped-up button mushrooms while another snap had mushrooms on the dehydrator’s shelves.

Pal Jenny Hay told the court: “She seemed to really like mushrooms.”

Hay said she and Patterson had spoken over the phone two days after the lunch with Patterson saying she had bought the mushrooms from an Asian grocer.

Pals told the court that Patterson had complained on several occasions about her “coercive” and “abusive” estranged husband Simon.

Earlier on Monday, Simon had denied asking his wife about the dehydrator: “Is that what you used to poison them?”

Six days after the fatal lunch, the dehydrator was found at the local tip by cops.

Photo of Gail and Don Patterson.
Ian and Heather Wilkinson were both killed by the lunchCredit: Nine
WhatsApp conversation showing Simon canceling lunch due to health concerns.
Patterson tried to persuade her estranged husband to come to the lunch over text

Patterson’s lawyers conceded she had dumped the dehydrator but said she had done so in a panic, not out of guilt trying to cover-up the crime.

The court previously heard about how a string of texts has revealed how Patterson begged Simon to join the meal in July 2023.

Patterson hinted at ill-health in the messages as said she “may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time”.

Simon wrote: “Sorry I feel too uncomfortable about coming to lunch with you, mum, dad, Heather and Ian tomorrow but am happy to talk about your health and implications of that at another time.

“If you’d like to discuss on the phone just let me know.”

Ian Wilkinson also ate the beef Wellington, but survived the poisoning after a long battle in hospital.

Patterson had fabricated a cancer diagnosis prior to the lethal lunch.

Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers said Patterson hosted the lunch on the pretence of discussing the best way to tell her two children about the illness – ensuring they would be far away from the meal.

Rogers said: “It is the prosecution case that the accused deliberately poisoned (the victims) with murderous intent.”

She added that medical tests had found no sign of cancer.

The prosecutor also revealed how the alleged killer dodged the deadly dinner herself.

Rogers said that Patterson served individual beef Wellingtons, mashed potatoes and green beans at the meal.

The guests allegedly all ate from large grey dinner plates, while she ate from a smaller, orange plate – thus avoiding the poison-laced Wellington.

Simon Patterson, husband of Erin Patterson, outside Morwell Supreme Court.
Simon Patterson, Erin’s estranged husbandCredit: EPA
You May Also Like

How Wealthy Individuals Plan to Avoid Inheritance Tax on Pensions by Increasing Vacation Time

Savers with larger pensions intend to splash out on more holidays to…

Iran Plans to Hire Hitmen in the West to Assassinate Enemies, including Trump, Ex-US Official Warns

DONALD Trump is right “at the top” of Iran’s chilling assassination hit…

Armed Robbers Transforming Exclusive London Streets into No-Go Zones

Mayfair, King’s Road, and Bond Street rank high among the most exclusive…

ICE agents raid restaurant owned by CBS News employee as part of crackdown on illegal immigrants following $1,000 reward offer.

A RESTAURANT owned by a CBS News star’s husband has been raided…

British must continue to fight back against the hidden disadvantages in Donald Trump’s new UK-US trade deal, resetting progress made.

SO Donald Trump and Keir Starmer have announced a trade deal of…

JD Vance comments on the election of the first American Pope Robert Prevost following the resurfacing of critical anti-Trump social media posts

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday reacted to the news of the…

From Chicago math prodigy to Pope Leo XIV: The incredible journey of Robert Prevost

Starting as a promising math prodigy in the United States, Pope Leo…

Usha Vance undergoes a striking change in style after refusing to conform to “MAGA Land” expectations set by JD’s wife

Usha Vance didn’t start off in the spotlight, but her wardrobe clearly…

Trump reveals new US trade agreement with the UK: President praises thorough deal to strengthen Special Relationship

A Transatlantic trade deal is set to be unveiled today with hopes…

William and Kate look joyful as they attend a VE Day concert with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Horse Guards Parade.

The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared to be in good moods…

Pakistan promises retaliation for Indian airstrikes in escalating tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors

PAKISTAN have vowed to take revenge for “every drop” of blood spilt…

Local New York Official Accused of Shooting DoorDash Delivery Driver Who Requested Directions

After a lost delivery driver approached his house seeking directions, an elected…