Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #10 *Arrest*

[Detechtive]

I was very close to my in laws, especially my late mother in law but she’d occasionally drive me crazy. I’d complain to my friends that sometimes she’d call me five or six times a day with silly stuff. We mainly had a good laugh over it but never ever ever did I express wanting to cut ties with her or anyone else, let alone in that awful language. That’s way beyond frustration IMO.

Private chat or not I’ve never seen such vitriol which then changed to loving descriptions. A few weeks back I opined that Erin is filled with rage against those who she believes wronged her, whether it’s true or not. I still believe it.

I agree. I have only used language like that about one person I loathe. I don't think it's normal to speak that way about people, venting or otherwise.

 

[katydid23]

I think the social media 'chat' was quite a bit earlier. People can change week to week, let alone over many months and I'm not sure I'd put much weight to that evidence personally. I'd put it down to venting.

I think there are some reasons to disbelieve her statement that she wanted them in her children's lives. IF it was an accidental poisoning, and she had become sick herself, why didn't she IMMEDIATELY go to the doctors and tell them about the foraged mushrooms she dehydrated?

They would have given the 4 unwell lunch guests the antidote right then. It could have saved their lives.


Looking at the evidence I've seen so far makes me doubt she wanted the grandparents in her children's lives. imo

 

[LinasK]

While there is a delay, I would like to present a perspective shift - how would the community react if there were no survivors?

Here’s a thought experiment that might help us all step back and reflect:

What if this had been a murder-suicide?

Imagine the same tragic outcome, but with no survivors—EP included. Imagine the headlines:
“Family Dies in Suspected Mushroom Poisoning Tragedy – Was It an Accident or a Desperate Act?”

I suspect the conversation would shift entirely. The public might speak of the unbearable weight of mental illness, the hidden struggles behind closed doors, and the heartbreak of a family wiped out in a moment of desperation. Instead of focusing on guilt and intent, the talk might turn to how we support families, prevent isolation, and spot the signs of distress.

It’s striking how much our interpretation hinges on survival:

• A survivor means a villain.
• No survivors means a tragedy, a tragic cry for help, the result of complete mental snap.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold people accountable if wrongdoing is proven. But it does make me wonder: are we so focused on a villain narrative that we might miss the broader human complexities in cases like this?

No, I don't pity the murderer in murder-suicides, but then who would choose to poison themselves as a means of suicide? Maybe those who OD on drugs? But still...

 

[Detechtive]

While there is a delay, I would like to present a perspective shift - how would the community react if there were no survivors?

Here’s a thought experiment that might help us all step back and reflect:

What if this had been a murder-suicide?

Imagine the same tragic outcome, but with no survivors—EP included. Imagine the headlines:
“Family Dies in Suspected Mushroom Poisoning Tragedy – Was It an Accident or a Desperate Act?”

I suspect the conversation would shift entirely. The public might speak of the unbearable weight of mental illness, the hidden struggles behind closed doors, and the heartbreak of a family wiped out in a moment of desperation. Instead of focusing on guilt and intent, the talk might turn to how we support families, prevent isolation, and spot the signs of distress.

It’s striking how much our interpretation hinges on survival:

• A survivor means a villain.
• No survivors means a tragedy, a tragic cry for help, the result of complete mental snap.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold people accountable if wrongdoing is proven. But it does make me wonder: are we so focused on a villain narrative that we might miss the broader human complexities in cases like this?

There's no villain narrative. If she murdered the family along with taking her own life, she would still be the villain in this situation. It wasn't an impulsive psychotic episode, it wasn't an impulsive moment of bad judgment. It wasn't a medical episode. It looks to be planned quite a long time in advance. That requires logic, and thought, and many steps to meet those ends, starting with allegedly luring those people to her home under the guise of a fake cancer diagnosis, which is highly manipulative and planned for maximum control, IMO. It requires calm and secrecy. And at any point during that long build up, there was a choice to change paths. There were hundreds of opportunities.

It makes it worse that she didn't commit a murder-suicide impulsively, IMO, because it shows level-headedness, which is in dire opposition to your post. It also shows her self absorption and possibly the motive, IMO.

Some people are just bad. Some people who murder aren't mentally ill, many of them have a dark triad personality type. That is not fixable with support and therapy. Some people can't stand not having the control and power in their families. These people aren't able to be members of society, the risk is too great to other society members, regardless of why they are like that, IMO.

If the accused is guilty of murdering these people, it is the worst form of Domestic Violence possible. I think people have a difficult time accepting that women can be DV perpetrators, in general.

 

[MsMarple]

Erin Patterson murder trial day 21 – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

5m ago21.29 EDT
Defendent’s daughter remembers visiting Asian grocer after rewatching video evidence

Prosecutor Jane Warren asks Eppingstallabout evidence by Patterson’s daughter given during a pre-recorded police interview that was played to the court earlier in the trial.

In the video Patterson’s daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had not been to an Asian grocer with her mother before.

Eppingstall says when Patterson’s daughter rewatched her evidence, with a child witness support person, she said she remembered going to an Asian-style food store for cooking with her mother on one occasion.

Share

Updated at 21.31 EDT

15m ago21.19 EDT
Jurors enter courtroom

The jurors have entered the courtroom in Morwell.

Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall, the officer in charge of the investigation into the lethal lunch, is continuing to give evidence.

 

[MsMarple]

6m ago

Police visited mushroom wholesaler​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

LSC Eppingstall confirms there are four wholesalers that distribute mushrooms to Woolworths, but only two that supply to a Leongatha store.

He says that an officer attended one wholesale facility in Mernda on September 6, 2023.

The officer was taken on a tour of the facility and also shown the process of cultivating mushrooms from start to finish including soil gathering, picking and packaging.

The whole tour was recorded.

10m ago

More Woolworths purchases​

By Joseph Dunstan​

On July 27, another list details purchases of more puff pastry and filo pastry, beef eye fillets and more sliced mushrooms.

Then on July 28, more puff pastry and filo pastry is listed, along with 1.5 kilograms of mashed potato and 340 grams of cleaned beans.

Some Gravox gravy and more beef eye fillet is also highlighted.

Key Event
11m ago

Erin's Woolworths grocery shopping​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The court is shown a screenshot of an account-type form.

It contains Erin's name and contact details, then a long list of Woolworths Leongatha purchases, some of which have been highlighted in yellow.

On July 23, the following items are highlighted:

- 2 x 500 grams of sliced mushrooms

- 1kg of WW puff pastry

- Filo pastry

- Shallot onions

The list suggests July 23 was quite a big grocery day, with other items not highlighted including some Bulla raspberry splits, salami, shaved turkey, yoghurt, parmesan, spinach, a danish and some Le Snaks.

12m ago

We revisit Erin's daughter's police interview​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

A few quick questions are asked about Erin's daughter's police interview, which the jury has previously been shown.

In that interview Erin's daughter said she had not been to any Asian grocer with her mum.

Prosecutor Jane Warren asks LSC Eppingstall if he is aware that she told a child witness support person that she "once did go to an Asian-type food place for cooking" when she re-watched the tape.

He says yes.

22m ago

A few of the CCTV cameras in the case have the wrong time​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The jury is shown a table titled "CCTV Timestamp Accuracy", which outlines a few places where CCTV footage is being used as evidence in the case.

It notes that the Leongatha Hospital CCTV timestamp is one hour and 42 minutes ahead.

The Subway Leongatha's CCTV is one hour behind.

Just the BP Caldermeade and Koonwarra Transfer Station are running on time.

Key Event
24m ago

Police detective takes the stand​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall has returned to the stand.

We're reminded that before proceedings finished for the day yesterday, the jury were shown CCTV footage at a subway.

The vision showed Erin's car arriving at the subway, her son getting out of the car, then the car driving away before returning about 11 minutes later.

Erin Patterson trial jury shown screenshots of death cap search — as it happened

A police detective is giving evidence in murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of deliberately poisoning four relatives with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, killing three.

www.abc.net.au

 

[MsMarple]

Key Event
1m ago

Medical records show no cancer diagnosis​

By Joseph Dunstan and Mikaela Ortolan​

We're now hearing about Erin's medical records.

LSC Eppingstall says he was aware that Erin told the lunch guests she had been diagnosed with cancer.

He tells the court he went to a series of local health organisations to obtain medical records for Erin Patterson.

And also contacted the cancer registry which showed there was no evidence of any diagnosis of cancer.

Lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson previously told the court Erin Patterson had told her lunch guests she had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and they had prayed for her after the meal.

5m ago

Purchases from a BP​

By Joseph Dunstan​

Two other purchases are shown, listed as occurring on July 30, 2023.

They are at the BP Caldermeade and what sounds like a donut business at Koo Wee Rup.

A separate receipt for the BP Caldermeade shows the purchase comprised of TNT Multicolour Blister, which LSC Eppingstal identifies as a type of chewing gum, along with a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich and a sweet chilli chicken wrap.

The purchase amounts to $13.10.

 

[katydid23]

Presenting that one vent from a private group chat kinda reminds me of the way the prosecutor cherry picked from Kathleen Folbigg's diaries. And yes it was 6mths or so prior to the lunch invite.

But the planning for this special meal began months ago as well. It wasn't a spontaneous thing.

Foraging for the wild mushrooms, buying the dehydrator, experimenting with hiding powdered mushrooms in recipes---all of that took months.

So those feelings of anger that she had expressed towards her in-laws coincided with the beginning of that process. And they didn't seem to get any closer during that time. The difficult incidents involving Gail's birthday invitation mix up and the arguments over siding with Simon continued during this time span leading up to the luncheon.

In fact, the in-laws were quite surprised that she had invited them to lunch. It came out of the blue. And she gave an important reason for the lunch meeting ---it wasn't just a friendly invitation just because.

All that leads me to believe that things were still distant and awkward between them. IMO

 

[MsMarple]

Key Event
1m ago

We take a look at Gail's diary entry​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The court is shown a copy of a diary with a week layout across a double page.

"Lunch with Erin [and her children]" is entered for June 24, 2023.

A little later, "Erin - St Vincent's arm lump" is written on Wednesday 28 June

The week layout for the week of the lunch is blank, except for an entry stating "lunch at Erin's w Heather and Ian", on July 29, 2023.

The court hears there were no Medicare records of Erin visiting St Vincent's on June 28.

LSC Eppingstall says when the hospital was contacted, it also had no record of an appointment for Erin.

 

[MsMarple]

Sorry, bugging out for a bit to have quiet dinner with husband after stressful day . Links to live blogs are upthread if anyone wants to help out.

Be back later…

 

[LinasK]

Erin Patterson murder trial day 21 – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

5m ago21.29 EDT
Defendent’s daughter remembers visiting Asian grocer after rewatching video evidence

Prosecutor Jane Warren asks Eppingstallabout evidence by Patterson’s daughter given during a pre-recorded police interview that was played to the court earlier in the trial.

In the video Patterson’s daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had not been to an Asian grocer with her mother before.

Eppingstall says when Patterson’s daughter rewatched her evidence, with a child witness support person, she said she remembered going to an Asian-style food store for cooking with her mother on one occasion.

Share

Updated at 21.31 EDT

15m ago21.19 EDT
Jurors enter courtroom

The jurors have entered the courtroom in Morwell.

Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall, the officer in charge of the investigation into the lethal lunch, is continuing to give evidence.

Even IF the daughter suddenly remembers visiting an Asian grocery store with her mother, how is it relevant if they can't tie the purchase of Death Cap mushrooms to any Asian market?

 

[MrJ]

​

No records of biopsy or MRI​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The court is shown a series of text messages between Erin Patterson and her mother-in-law Gail Patterson.

On June 28, the day that Gail had noted in her diary Erin was due to have an appointment at St Vincent's to investigate a lump on her arm, there was this exchange:

Gail: Hi Erin just wondering how you got on at your appointment today? Love Gail and Don

Erin replied the next morning: Hi Gail Sorry I had taken [my daughter] to see a movie last night. We saw The Little Mermaid. The appointment went ok, thanks for asking. I had a needle biopsy taken of the lump and I'm returning for an MRI next week and we'll know more after the results of those two things.

LSC Eppingstall tells the court there is no evidence Erin was ever referred for, or obtained, an MRI.

@MsMarple I'll take over the abc blog for a bit

 

[Detechtive]

More Woolworths purchases​

By Joseph Dunstan

On July 27, another list details purchases of more puff pastry and filo pastry, beef eye fillets and more sliced mushrooms.

Then on July 28, more puff pastry and filo pastry is listed, along with 1.5 kilograms of mashed potato and 340 grams of cleaned beans.

Some Gravox gravy and more beef eye fillet is also highlighted.

Erin Patterson trial jury shown screenshots of death cap search — as it happened

A police detective is giving evidence in murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of deliberately poisoning four relatives with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, killing three.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Detechtive]

​

No records of biopsy or MRI​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The court is shown a series of text messages between Erin Patterson and her mother-in-law Gail Patterson.

On June 28, the day that Gail had noted in her diary Erin was due to have an appointment at St Vincent's to investigate a lump on her arm, there was this exchange:

Gail: Hi Erin just wondering how you got on at your appointment today? Love Gail and Don

Erin replied the next morning: Hi Gail Sorry I had taken [my daughter] to see a movie last night. We saw The Little Mermaid. The appointment went ok, thanks for asking. I had a needle biopsy taken of the lump and I'm returning for an MRI next week and we'll know more after the results of those two things.

LSC Eppingstall tells the court there is no evidence Erin was ever referred for, or obtained, an MRI.

@MsMarple I'll take over the abc blog for a bit

The pre-lunch lies can't be explained by 'panic' IMO.

 

[katydid23]

While there is a delay, I would like to present a perspective shift - how would the community react if there were no survivors?

Here’s a thought experiment that might help us all step back and reflect:

What if this had been a murder-suicide?

Imagine the same tragic outcome, but with no survivors—EP included. Imagine the headlines:
“Family Dies in Suspected Mushroom Poisoning Tragedy – Was It an Accident or a Desperate Act?”

I suspect the conversation would shift entirely. The public might speak of the unbearable weight of mental illness, the hidden struggles behind closed doors, and the heartbreak of a family wiped out in a moment of desperation. Instead of focusing on guilt and intent, the talk might turn to how we support families, prevent isolation, and spot the signs of distress.

It’s striking how much our interpretation hinges on survival:

• A survivor means a villain.
• No survivors means a tragedy, a tragic cry for help, the result of complete mental snap.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold people accountable if wrongdoing is proven. But it does make me wonder: are we so focused on a villain narrative that we might miss the broader human complexities in cases like this?

Even if it was a murder/suicide----she had absolutely NO JUSTIFICATION for killing these four kind souls. They did nothing to her, did not deserve her wrath in any way.

This is not like an angry spouse doing a murder/suicide because of complex marriage issues involving infidelity etc.

More like an angry woman who felt resentment and simmering rage because her spouse had written SEPARATED on a government form and that cost her thousands in tax benefits. I can't feel all that much sympathy for that.

 

[MrJ]

Gail told Erin she was praying for her​

By Joseph Dunstan​

After Erin told her she had to wait for an MRI on the lump, Gail responded:

That's a test of patience isn't it?! Praying you'll know God's peace.

We're just ready to relax after an enjoyable time [with people] ... Nice to have the fire warming us in this cold weather Xo

Later Gail sends Erin another message asking how her medical tests went.

Erin replied:

Thanks for your message Don and Gail. There's a bit to digest with everything that's come out of it all, I might talk more about it with you both when I see you in person.

my thoughts: chilling IMO

 

[Detechtive]

Gail told Erin she was praying for her​

By Joseph Dunstan​

After Erin told her she had to wait for an MRI on the lump, Gail responded:


Later Gail sends Erin another message asking how her medical tests went.

Erin replied:



my thoughts: chilling IMO

They sound like very caring people towards her.

 

[MrJ]

Key Event
2m ago

Court breaks​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

We then move onto Simon Patterson's phone records.

LSC Eppingstall tells the court Simon provided his phone and an extraction was conducted by LSC Eppingstall and Cyber Crime experts.

A bunch of messages were extracted from his phone but we haven't heard about these yet.

The court instead decides to take a quick break.

 

[Detechtive]

More Woolworths purchases​

By Joseph Dunstan

On July 27, another list details purchases of more puff pastry and filo pastry, beef eye fillets and more sliced mushrooms.

Then on July 28, more puff pastry and filo pastry is listed, along with 1.5 kilograms of mashed potato and 340 grams of cleaned beans.

Some Gravox gravy and more beef eye fillet is also highlighted.

Erin Patterson trial jury shown screenshots of death cap search — as it happened

A police detective is giving evidence in murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of deliberately poisoning four relatives with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, killing three.

www.abc.net.au

Why did she need so much pastry?!?
Was she practising?

 

[MrJ]

They sound like very caring people towards her.

For sure. It's so chilling how EP responded to GP knowing what happened afterwards. JMO