This is actually one thing that's nagging at me (other than the absence of facts, but that will improve).
I cannot see a motive I would believe.
Of course, not all crimes make sense. Therefore it's also annoying to me as I work in mental health, that I cannot see a mental health background I would think as more likely than the others. And my theories vary wildly (from something Munchausen-like to just being depressed and being bad with social stuff, from experiencing psychotic symptoms to being a domestic abuse victim).
What would be the reason for EP to (try to) kill DP, GP, HW & IW? What would EP gain from killing them?
Please do not lynch me - I am not saying she must be innocent. She might be guilty, it is not unlikely. But I just cannot piece it together and it is not something I feel too often in these stories.
Really insightful post Sjoberg, (and I wouldn't dream of lynching you, although I do understand your concern.)
For what it's worth, I think there are two possibilities -
1. Accidental poisoning, either from the meal prepared by Erin Patterson (by way of either foraged or
store-bought mushrooms, or from food brought to the lunch, or consumed later by the victims
eg mushroom salad,)
or
2. She's been set up to be "the patsy." (I'm sure that that option will be poo-poo'd, but I don't think it would be difficult to set her up, if the "setter-upper" knew what meal was being planned, (or even suggested it), and had access to the pantry (which could be via the children).
I do not believe that she had any motive to kill the victims. She had already extricated herself successfully from an unhappy marriage but, IMO was genuinely very fond of her in-laws, and feeling their loss deeply.
I doubt very much that there were custody issues, as there have been comments from various people that her ex-husband was away a lot. Sounds as though he wouldn't be in a position to have custody of the kids.
Despite assertions from some posters that division of assets was a motive, IMO that was "done and dusted" some time ago, and there have been numerous posts to support this view.
IMO she has not done anything nefarious at all. She may have her faults (as we ALL do), but I do not believe that she is a murderer.
I am not a psychologist, but during the course of my employment, I have interacted with 100's (probably 1,000s) of people (mainly women) experiencing distressing circumstances, and frankly, do not consider her demeanour to be unusual given the situation. I have wondered whether she may have been suffering from long-term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and or Major Depression (or similar conditions).
When first confronted by the media, she may still have been in shock, was likely grief-stricken, and I imagine, saw her children experiencing grief.
It had been inferred (she claims) by her ex-husband that she had poisoned the victims. (Her children, who were allegedly present, could confirm or refute this.) This would all be very distressing.
Since then, when the media have confronted her, it has been whilst they have been trespassing on her property, and her children have not been with her. I think most people would be feeling (and appearing) pretty wretched in such a situation.Thank goodness for BL (aka Beautiful Lab.)
All JMO