Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #7 *Arrest*

[drsleuth]

5m ago

Relationship between Erin Patterson and estranged husband deteriorates​

By Judd Boaz​

Dr Rogers said Ms Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, turned down an invitation to attend the lunch because he felt "too uncomfortable".

The court was told the couple's marriage had broken down, with the relationship declining in 2022.

The couple had initially had an "amicable" relationship, sharing custody and going on family holidays together, before issues arose straining the relationship.

One of the reasons was because Ms Patterson changed the couple's kids' schools without telling her husband.

4m ago

Five plates, five beef Wellingtons​

​

Dr Rogers moves to the critical event of the trial — the lunch itself.

She said Ms Patterson's four guests arrived at her Leongatha home and greeted them at the door.

She showed them around the house before the group gathered around the kitchen island bench.

The meals prepared were five individual beef Wellingtons, mashed potatoes and green beans.

"They said grace and started the meal," Dr Rogers said.

Dr Rogers said the guests all ate from grey-coloured plates, while Ms Patterson's was a lighter colour, which was described as orange and smaller than the others.

For dessert, they ate a cake brought by Gail and a fruit platter from Heather.

Dr Rogers said Ms Patterson dropped a bombshell — that she had cancer.

She wanted to know whether to tell her kids or to keep it from them.

The group prayed again, the court heard, and the guests headed home later that afternoon.

Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happened

A Supreme Court jury hears opening submissions in the trial of Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who is accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives. Look back at how it unfolded on our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

11.53am

What changed in Simon and Erin’s relationship?​

By​

The court heard that Simon Patterson first noticed a change in his relationship with Erin in 2022.

On one occasion, when he was dropping the children off, Erin expressed concern that he had listed himself as “separated” in his tax return.

Simon offered to change that, the court heard, but Erin told him she would expect child support.

“Issues arose concerning the payment of child support, including whether Simon should make additional payments outside of child support for expenses such as school fees,” Rogers said.

Later, at the start of term three in 2023, Erin Patterson changed her children’s school without consulting Simon.

Three or four weeks before the deadly lunch, Erin Patterson told her in-laws Don and Gail that she had a lump in her elbow that required testing, and she had an appointment at St Vincent’s Hospital on 28 June 2023, Rogers said.


The day of the appointment, Gail texted Erin to ask how the appointment had gone. The following day, Erin responded that the appointment went well. She told Gail she had had a biopsy done, and she would be returning to hospital for an MRI.

“The accused later responded that there was a bit to digest with everything that’s come out, and that she might talk more about it with them in person,” Rogers said.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

2m ago

Patterson belonged to true crime Facebook group​

By Judd Boaz​

Reporting by Kristian Silva

Earlier, Dr Rogers made reference to some of Ms Patterson's online friends, who belonged to a true crime Facebook group dedicated to discussing the Keli Lane murder case.

The members branched out and discussed other topics, including news, current affairs and their personal lives.

Ms Patterson used her own Facebook page under her real name, but also had other accounts — Erin Erin, and Erin Erin Erin.

Dr Rogers then moved on from this topic. No doubt this will pop up again either in her openings or during the evidence.

Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happened

A Supreme Court jury hears opening submissions in the trial of Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who is accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives. Look back at how it unfolded on our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

Erin Patterson concocted cancer diagnosis to ensure children missed fatal mushroom lunch, murder trial hears

Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she served at her house in South Gippsland in 2023

www.theguardian.com

Beale was running through a “murder checklist”, which has been provided to the jury in order for them to understand the questions of law that must be considered in order for them to reach a verdict.

As I understand it, the accused defence’s [is]… she didn’t deliberately serve up a poison meal, that happened accidentally,” Beale said.

Patterson was crying as Beale spoke to the jury.

 

[MsMarple]

The hours after the lunch​

The court has heard it was arranged for the children to go to the cinema on the day of the lunch.

A friend of one of the children also joined them at the cinema.

About 2.25pm, Simon Patterson picked the children up and they returned to Patterson’s home.

Patterson dropped her child’s friend home about 7pm.

“Around midnight, on Sunday the 30th of July, Heather and Ian started to suffer nausea, diahrrhea and vomitting,” Rogers said.

“They mostly stayed in separate rooms, but did come together to talk.”

The court heard Don and Gail went to the hospital that evening with the same symptoms.

After speaking on the phone to Don, Simon drove to Ian and Heather’s house to tell them to go to hospital.

During his visit, Heather said: “I noticed Erin put her food in a different plate. Her plate had colours. I wondered why that was.”

Erin Patterson ‘hiding’ dehydrated mushrooms ‘in everything’, court hears

The mother is accused of killing three people with poisonous death cap mushrooms.

7news.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Court resumespublished at 11:58
​

Simon Atkinson
Australia producer, reporting from court

The court has now resumed - and we’re going to hear more about how the alleged victims ended up in hospital.

Lunch guests called ambulances next morning, says prosecutionpublished at 12:04
12:04​

After a night of vomiting and diarrhea, Heather and Ian Wilkinson called Don and Gail Patterson at about dawn the next day.

The Pattersons said they had similar symptoms and had called an ambulance, and they made their way to hospital.

The Wilkinsons tried to call paramedics too, but they were taking too long, so Simon Patterson took his aunt and uncle to hospital.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

​

12.05pm

The purpose of the mushroom lunch and why Simon wasn’t there​

​

At a church service on July 16, 2023, Erin Patterson invited her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, as well as Ian and Heather Wilkinson, to lunch at her home. Simon Patterson was invited too.

The purpose of the lunch, the jury heard, was to discuss some medical issues Erin had and to get advice about how to talk to her children about those medical issues.

The accused said that it was important that the children were not present for lunch, the court heard.

The accused asked Simon if he was prepared to attend the lunch, and he agreed.

The court was told that the guests wondered about the purpose of the lunch, and that Ian and Heather were surprised by the invitation, as they had never been to the accused’s house the day before the lunch.

On July 28, Simon Patterson sent Erin Patterson a text message stating that he would not attend the lunch, as he felt too uncomfortable, but that he was happy to discuss the accused’s health over the phone at another time.

The accused replied five minutes later, saying that she was disappointed, Rogers told the court.
Erin Patterson emphasised the effort she had put into preparing the lunch because she had wanted it to be a special meal, and that she may not be able to have a lunch like this again for some time.

“The accused said it was important to her that everyone attended the following day and that she hoped to see Simon there. He did not reply. At some stage, he told his parents that he would not attend,” Rogers said.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[SouthAussie]

Dr Rogers said the guests all ate from grey-coloured plates, while Ms Patterson's was a lighter colour, which was described as orange and smaller than the others.

Making sure she didn't get the wrong plate, or did she not have enough grey-coloured plates?

 

[drsleuth]

12.09pm

What they ate at lunch​

By​

The jury was told Erin Patterson plated the meal of individual beef Wellingtons, mashed potatoes and green beans.

“There were four large grey-coloured dinner plates and one smaller plate, which was lighter in colour, which Ian Wilkinson describes as being a tan orange colour,” prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, told the court.

Erin Patterson ate from the smaller, different coloured plate.

“They said grace and started the meal. Ian and Heather [Wilkinson] ate their entire portion, Gail ate approximately half of her serve and gave the rest to Donald,” Rogers said.

The prosecutor said the guests joked about how much they had eaten.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Alleged victim 'asked why Erin Patterson had a different colour plate'published at 12:09
12:09​

Katy Watson and Simon Atkinson
reporting from court

Heather Wilkinson spoke to her son Simon Patterson after she felt ill, and told him that Erin Patterson put her food on a different plate to us, the prosecutor says.

The prosecution says Ms Wilkinson told Simon that Erin Patterson's plate had colours on it and that she wondered why that was.

Ms Wilkinson asked Simon Patterson "does Erin have a shortage of crockery? I have been wondering about it since yesterday", the prosecutor adds.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

1m ago

Illness sets in for group following lunch​

By Judd Boaz​

Reporting by Kristian Silva

Back to the fallout from the lunch.

Dr Rogers says all four lunch guests were sick the following morning, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.

All four ended up at local hospitals in Korumburra and Leongatha.

The prosecutor said Simon Patterson became aware of the illnesses, and went over to the Wilkinsons' home.

Dr Rogers said Heather Wilkinson made some comments, reflecting on the lunch the previous day.

"Yeah I noticed Erin put her food on a different plate to us. Her plate had different colours on it. I wondered why it was," Ms Wilkinson is alleged to have said.

Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happened

A Supreme Court jury hears opening submissions in the trial of Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who is accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives. Look back at how it unfolded on our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

12.09pm

What they ate at lunch​

​

The jury was told Erin Patterson plated the meal of individual beef Wellingtons, mashed potatoes and green beans.

“There were four large grey-coloured dinner plates and one smaller plate, which was lighter in colour, which Ian Wilkinson describes as being a tan orange colour,” prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, told the court.

Erin Patterson ate from the smaller, different coloured plate.

“They said grace and started the meal. Ian and Heather [Wilkinson] ate their entire portion, Gail ate approximately half of her serve and gave the rest to Donald,” Rogers said.

The prosecutor said the guests joked about how much they had eaten.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Guests wondered whether Erin Patterson was also ill, prosecutor says 12:12
​

The prosecutor says two of the alleged victims, Heather and Ian Wilkinson, queried whether the accused was also in hospital, as she’d eaten the same meal as them.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

12.14pm

Erin Patterson told lunch guests she had cancer​

​

After lunch, Erin Patterson broke the news to the group that she had cancer and asked for advice on whether to tell her children or to keep it from them, prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, told the jury.

“They had a discussion about it being best to be honest with the children. They prayed as a group for the accused’s health and wisdom in relation to telling the children,” Rogers said.

The lunch guests left before 3pm as Ian Wilkinson had a meeting.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

6m ago

Illness sets in for group following lunch​

By Judd Boaz​

Reporting by Kristian Silva

Back to the fallout from the lunch.

Dr Rogers says all four lunch guests were sick the following morning, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.

All four ended up at local hospitals in Korumburra and Leongatha.

The prosecutor said Simon Patterson became aware of the illnesses, and went over to the Wilkinsons' home.

Dr Rogers said Heather Wilkinson made some comments, reflecting on the lunch the previous day.

"Yeah I noticed Erin put her food on a different plate to us. Her plate had different colours on it. I wondered why it was," Ms Wilkinson is alleged to have said.

Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happened

A Supreme Court jury hears opening submissions in the trial of Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who is accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives. Look back at how it unfolded on our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

Donald Patterson 'vomited more than 30 times after the meal​

12:16​

Katy Watson and Simon Atkinson
Reporting from court

Jurors have heard from the prosecution that during his medical assessment Donald Patterson, who had eaten his portion of lunch and about half of that of his wife, reported to doctors he had vomited upward of 30 times since midnight.

He had to go to the bathroom during the medical assessment.

He received "aggressive" treatment at Dandenong Hospital, about 100km from Leongatha, from where he had been transferred.

According to the prosecution, the doctor for Mr Patterson, who later died, said his symptoms were indicative of serious toxin syndrome caused by the ingestion of death cap mushrooms.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

Donald Patterson 'vomited more than 30 times after the meal​

12:16​

Katy Watson and Simon Atkinson
Reporting from court

Jurors have heard from the prosecution that during his medical assessment Donald Patterson, who had eaten his portion of lunch and about half of that of his wife, reported to doctors he had vomited upward of 30 times since midnight.

He had to go to the bathroom during the medical assessment.

He received "aggressive" treatment at Dandenong Hospital, about 100km from Leongatha, from where he had been transferred.

According to the prosecution, the doctor for Mr Patterson, who later died, said his symptoms were indicative of serious toxin syndrome caused by the ingestion of death cap mushrooms.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

What a horrible, painful & traumatic death!!

 

[drsleuth]

Donald Patterson was moved to intensive care within hours​

12:20​

Simon Atkinson
Australia producer, reporting from court

The court hears a decision was taken not give guest Donald Patterson access a drug called silibinin - a treatment for death cap mushroom poisoning - "as there was not sufficient evidence to confirm ingestion of death cap mushrooms".

By midnight that day he had been moved to intensive care, the prosecution says.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[SouthAussie]

Sounds as if the Wilkinsons were suspicious quite quickly. Especially as they had never been invited to EP's before.


"Yeah I noticed Erin put her food on a different plate to us. Her plate had different colours on it. I wondered why it was," Ms Wilkinson is alleged to have said.

Heather and Ian Wilkinson, queried whether the accused was also in hospital, as she’d eaten the same meal as them.

(from the above links)

 

[drsleuth]

12.20pm

‘I’ve puzzled about it since lunch’: Heather wondered why Erin served her guests with different plates​

​

After a short break, the jury returned to courtroom 4 of the Latrobe Valley legal precinct in Morwell to hear about the aftermath of the meal.

Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, said that about midnight on the night of the lunch, Heather and Ian started to suffer nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Around dawn on the morning after the lunch, Heather called Don and Gail, who said they had similar symptoms, had already called an ambulance.

About 8.45am, Don Patterson called his son to tell him they were sick. He told Simon he had called an ambulance, which was sent out at 8.34am. Don also told his son that Ian and Heather were experiencing the same symptoms.

At 9.15am an ambulance attended, and they were taken to Korumburra Hospital.

After speaking with Don, Simon tried to call Ian and Heather’s mobile phones. He ended up driving to the house. Ian and Heather were both worn out and vomiting.

When Ian was out of the room, Heather said that Erin put her food on a different plate from ours. She had wondered why that was.

Simon called 000 and was told it would be an hour until an ambulance came, so he drove them to Korumburra Hospital. But the hospital was at capacity, so Simon drove them to the Leongatha hospital.

On the way to the hospital, Heather asked: “Is Erin short of crockery? I was wondering why she served herself on a different plate to the rest of us. I’ve puzzled about it since lunch.”

Simon responded that Erin didn’t have lots of plates, and maybe ran out of plates. Rogers said staff at Korumburra hospital ordered a number of tests and began treating Don and Gail for gastroenteritis.

Simon arrived at the hospital 12.15pm. It was then that Don told Simon that Erin had told them at the lunch that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

During that afternoon, testing revealed that Don and Gail’s lactate levels were elevated, indicating that they were really unwell.

A decision was then made to transfer the couple to Dandenong Hospital for further treatment about 5pm.

Rogers said that the Wilkinsons arrived at Leongatha Hospital before 11am.

They were assessed by a triage nurse and they were taken to a plaster isolation room.

The Wilkinsons informed their treating doctors that no food was served before the meal of beef Wellington. No alcohol was consumed at the lunch, Rogers said.

“The Wilkinsons had not eaten since the lunchtime meal, the day before symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea had started in the evening, and continued throughout the night,” she said.

Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happened

A Supreme Court jury hears opening submissions in the trial of Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who is accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives. Look back at how it unfolded on our live blog.

www.abc.net.au