Sydney, Australia – An Australian woman accused of serving a poisonous mushroom lunch that allegedly killed three people has entered a not guilty plea to murder charges. Erin Patterson, 49, faces three murder charges and two counts of attempted murder stemming from the fatal beef Wellington meal last July. Police claim she also tried to kill her estranged husband on three separate occasions, but Patterson maintains her innocence.
Patterson’s case has attracted global attention, shaking the small regional community in Victorian. The incident occurred during a lunch at her home in Leongatha, southeast of Melbourne, which led to the deaths of her former in-laws and one other guest. Police suspect the guests ingested death cap mushrooms, known for their lethal effects when consumed.
Following the suspicious lunch, all four guests fell ill, leading to the deaths of three and hospitalization of the surviving guest. Investigators turned their attention to Patterson, noting her lack of illness after the meal. Subsequent investigation revealed alleged murder attempts against her estranged husband in the years leading up to the fatal lunch.
As the case progresses, Patterson’s trial is set to move to the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne. The first hearing is scheduled for May 23. The community in Leongatha remains reeling from the tragic events that transpired at Patterson’s home, with many awaiting the forthcoming legal proceedings to bring closure to the unsettling chapter in their town’s history.