Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #8 *Arrest*

[katydid23]

Many of my tech items are all over the place, in any drawer I was near at the time.
Some in my underwear drawer. Perhaps those scenarios could be thought of as hiding.

I think they look in underwear drawers first thing. Lots of people, including myself, stash important things in that drawer. I don't think they would consider that 'hiding' something.

I've even had flash drive sticks that ended up under my bed til the robot flushed them out.
Also ones that fell behind a cushion and the couch further disappeared them

All of the above places would probably have been searched initially, before the dogs sniffed the out, imo

Not everyone has a set way of doing things and always puts everything where others think they should go.

But all of the above would have people instantly knowing I was guilty of whatever.

I don't think any of the above places would make you look guilty. I think drawers and couch cushions and under beds are places cops would automatically search. IMO

 

[arrogantcat]

Here’s all I could find regarding where the sniffer dogs searched:

On Thursday, detectives spent several hours searching Patterson’s sprawling Leongatha property where the allegedly fatal lunch was served back in July. They searched the home with specialist dogs trained to sniff out phones, laptops, SIM cards and USB sticks. The canines can detect unique odours excreted by electronic devices.

Investigators searched Patterson’s car, the home’s garage, outdoor furniture, and a meter box located on the back deck. An armchair and bushes close to the house received particularly close attention from the dogs.
…
Patterson, whose home was also searched in August, had already handed over her mobile phone to police for examination shortly after detectives began investigating the deaths.

Patterson faces court over alleged involvement in mushroom killing

The cook at the centre of the deadly mushroom meal, charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder, has appeared in court.

www.theage.com.au

This is an excellent example of how easily vague filler content from the media can distort people’s perception of the facts.

Lots of folks here remembering electronics being found in bushes, armchairs etc, but checking back, all we really know is that the journo saw a dog sniff at these things at some point.

And of course, they can only report on things the dogs sniffed in the exterior because they couldn’t see the search inside. So it paints this picture of devices being secreted in unusual exterior locations like the garage, car and meter box - without ever confirming if anything whatsoever was ever found in any of these places! (I strongly suspect it was not, or they’d have found a way to say so. I bet everything was inside the house).

I very much believe she is guilty as accused. But isn’t it fascinating - and really quite scary - to see how some journo padding out their word count over a year ago can still shape and influence our group perception of a case.

 

[JLZ]

No, it was public knowledge. Here's a Daily Mail article from Monday, August 7, the same day that Erin gave her statement and two days after Don's death.

It clearly states who died and when...

They went to hospital the next day as their condition worsened, with the two sisters, aged 70 and 66, dying on Friday. Don, 70, died on Saturday night.

Ian, 68, remains in a critical condition in hospital and is believed to be waiting on a liver transplant.

Woman who cooked up poisonous mushrooms denies she did anything wrong

A woman who cooked a meal with poisonous mushrooms that resulted in the deaths of three people has tearfully denied she did anything wrong.

www.dailymail.co.uk

If that's the first public report of Don's death, she can't have read it before she made her statement, because the article contains the video of her statement.

She was the obvious suspect from the outset. I think police might have concealed details from her and from the public, and told Simon not to share.

("Statement" is not quite the right word given she also prepared a written document.)

 

[ch_13]

If that's the first public report of Don's death, she can't have read it before she made her statement, because the article contains the video of her statement.

She was the obvious suspect from the outset. I think police might have concealed details from her and from the public, and told Simon not to share.

I don't know where you get the idea that was the first public report of Don's death. I never said that. I just used it as an example of how his death was known at the time of her statement.

Rather than just post false conjecture, this is very easy to fact check. You can go to the first page of the first WS thread and see that there are articles naming the people who died at least one a day or two before she gave her statement.

 

[Eloise]

I personally do not believe we’ve had enough information about the accused to even begin to attempt ‘diagnosis by internet’.

If a cluster B personality disorder is suspected by the prosecution, no doubt they will present a psych evaluation to support this in due course.

probably more likely to come up in sentencing, assuming she's found guilty. I think during the trial, once deemed fit to stand trial all that matters is proving the charge. Diagnoses only matter in sentencing mitigation, afaik

 

[MsMarple]

We’re in week one of a potentially six weeks trial. I suspect much more will be coming our way to clarify some of our questions and concerns. There are surprises coming. JMO

 

[drsleuth]

I wonder if the media are going to continue "live" reporting for the whole trial?, it's pretty rare here in Australia

 

[SouthAussie]

I wonder where Erin said her primary phone was. Why the police had to search for it so diligently.

Whatever she said - perhaps ... "I lost it yesterday" ... "I don't remember where I lost it" ... "I don't have another phone" - the police thought it was worth bringing in the technology dogs and having a thorough search for it.

imo

 

[MsMarple]

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

Key Event
5m ago

Ian Wilkinson arrives at the court​

The only guest who survived the lunch at Erin Patterson's house, Ian Wilkinson, is expected to give evidence at her trial today.​

Mr Wilkinson was gravely ill after eating the beef Wellington, but eventually recovered.

 

[SouthAussie]

At least four "live" links still today so far ...

‘We thought it was gastro’: Ian Wilkinson recalls ‘vomiting, diarrhoea’

Erin Patterson is accused of killing three people with poisonous death cap mushrooms.

7news.com.au

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[JLZ]

I don't know where you get the idea that was the first public report of Don's death. I never said that. I just used it as an example of how his death was known at the time of her statement.

Rather than just post false conjecture, this is very easy to fact check. You can go to the first page of the first WS thread and see that there are articles naming the people who died at least one a day or two before she gave her statement.

Good idea. What I'm seeing in those early reports, is that Don died on the night of Saturday 5 August and Erin appeared before the media on Monday 7 August. On Sunday 6 August it was reported that the 70-year-old man had died and the 68-year-old man was fighting for life. No names used to distinguish them, but I could be missing something behind paywalls.

 

[SouthAussie]

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

Key Event
5m ago

Ian Wilkinson arrives at the court​

​

The only guest who survived the lunch at Erin Patterson's house, Ian Wilkinson, is expected to give evidence at her trial today.​

Mr Wilkinson was gravely ill after eating the beef Wellington, but eventually recovered.

I imagine we will hear mostly from the prosecution in Ian's testimony. The defence will have to be very careful if they cross examine him at all.

imo

 

[drsleuth]

I wonder where Erin said her primary phone was. Why the police had to search for it so diligently.

Whatever she said - perhaps ... "I lost it yesterday" ... "I don't remember where I lost it" ... "I don't have another phone" - the police thought it was worth bringing in the technology dogs and having a thorough search for it.

imo

I think they have alot of evidence from digital foot prints & devices, the prosecution was given a 20 week adjournment to build their brief



The court heard that police would need extra time to prepare their case because they needed to analyse computer material seized during a search of Patterson’s Leongatha home on Thursday.

Magistrate Tim Walsh said he felt it was important for the matter to progress as quickly as possible and not to “languish for too long”.

“Twenty weeks to analyse computer data, when the informant was confident they had enough evidence to charge this lady yesterday?” he said. “I imagine materials are going to be voluminous.”

Patterson faces court over alleged involvement in mushroom killing

The cook at the centre of the deadly mushroom meal, charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder, has appeared in court.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

10.14am

What happened in court yesterday?​

By​

As we enter day six of the trial, here are some of the things the jury heard yesterday:

• During his final day in the witness box, Simon Patterson denied that he had accused Erin Patterson of poisoning at the hospital following the fatal meal.
• Simon also told the court he was puzzled by the beef Wellington lunch invitation.
• The jury was also shown several text message exchanges between the pair and in a family group chat, where Erin and Simon discussed child support payments.
• Simon said earlier evidence about Erin’s “extremely aggressive” and “inflammatory” messages about child support referred to a message she sent the family chat, where she “had a crack” at him and accused him of something. The message was not read aloud.
• The court heard from three online friends of Erin Patterson – Christine Hunt, Daniela Barkley and Jenny Hay – who knew her through a true crime Facebook group.
• The jury heard Erin had spoken about her love of mushrooms with the group and sought advice on how to cook the beef Wellington in the lead-up to the lunch.
• Hunt said Erin described Simon as “controlling” and “coercive” on several occasions and said Erin was struggling with her husband’s Baptist background and the demands from his family for her children to have a faith-based schooling.
• The court also heard that Erin told her online friends she was “hiding powdered mushrooms in everything”.
• Erin has pleaded not guilty to the charges and claims the deadly meal was an accident.

10.16am

Today’s proceedings​

By​

Erin Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, concluded giving evidence yesterday afternoon after stepping into the witness box for a third consecutive sitting day.

The jury also heard the evidence of Christine Hunt, Daniela Barkley and Jenny Hay, three online friends who met the mother-of-two through a true-crime Facebook page.

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

Ian Wilkinson.Credit: Jason South

Proceedings will start sometime after 10.30am.

10.22am

Photo of the day​

Award-winning photographer Jason South has just taken this photo of Ian Wilkinson, who is expected to give evidence today.

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/mushroom-trial-erin-patterson-to-face-sixth-day-on-trial-for-murder-in-the-victorian-supreme-court/live-coverage/8c5abfd79d2d66da19b4dc2b1538b76e?amp

LIVE

Mushroom trial: Erin Patterson to face sixth day on trial for murder in the Victorian Supreme Court.​

Erin Patterson has been charged with the murder of three people - and the attempted murder of a fourth - after allegedly deliberately feeding them poisonous mushrooms in mid-2023. She has pleaded not guilty.

Ellie Dudley and John Ferguson

less than 2 min read
May 6, 2025 - 9:38AM

Paywalled

 

[drsleuth]

@MsMarple Do you want to do the ABC??

 

[ch_13]

Good idea. What I'm seeing in those early reports, is that Don died on the night of Saturday 5 August and Erin appeared before the media on Monday 7 August. On Sunday 6 August it was reported that the 70-year-old man had died and the 68-year-old man was fighting for life. No names used to distinguish them, but I could be missing something behind paywalls.

Apparently, you did miss the posts. For example, post #3 in the very first thread is a news report naming the victims. No paywall and well before Erin's statement. There are others on that first page as well.

Post in thread 'Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023'

Aug 6, 2023

Latest. 3.07min Video.

9News Melbourne

https://twitter.com/x/status/1688099485761560576

• TootsieFootsie

• 
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[MsMarple]

@MsMarple Do you want to do the ABC??

I’ll defer to you but I’m okay reporting on abc.net. You’re better at multitasking so let me know what you need.

 

[drsleuth]

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

• 13m ago
  Welcome to day six of Erin Patterson’s murder trial

It’s day six of the mushroom murders trial of Australian woman Erin Patterson, held at the Latrobe Valley magistrates court in Morwell, Victoria. Follow live updates. Photograph: Paul Tyquin/SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA/AFP/Getty Images


Adeshola Ore
Tue 6 May 2025 10.39 AES



13m ago10.29 AEST
Recap: testimony delivered on day five

As we wait for the trial to start today, here’s a recap of four things jurors heard on Monday:

1. Erin’s estranged husband, Simon, denied asking her “is that what you used to poison them?” in the days immediately after the lethal mushroom lunch. It was alleged he was referring to the food dehydrator, the court heard, although it was not clarified who “them” referred to.
2. The court was shown a Facebook message Erin wrote in 2023 before the lunch, according to her online friend Daniela Barkley. It read: “I’ve been hiding powdered mushrooms in everything. Mixed into chocolate brownies yesterday, the kids had no idea.”
3. A Facebook friend of Erin recalled her describing her estranged husband, Simon, as “coercive” and her in-laws as “demanding”. The three Facebook friends who gave evidence did not meet her in person but communicated in online true crime groups, online chats and phone calls.
4. The same witness, Christine Hunt, said Erin was “well regarded” in the Facebook group and known as a good researcher, describing her as a “super sleuth.”

Updated at 10.39 AEST
13m ago10.29 AEST

Welcome to day six of Erin Patterson’s murder trial​

We’re expecting today’s evidence to begin at 10.30am when more witnesses will testify.

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 Leongatha, in regional Victoria, in July 2023.

She is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson and the aunt of her estranged husband, Heather Wilkinson. The attempted murder charge relates to Heather’s husband, Ian.

She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defence’s case is that the events were an accident and Patterson never intended to harm her lunch guests.

 

[drsleuth]

I’ll defer to you but I’m okay reporting on abc.net. You’re better at multitasking so let me know what you need.

Would be great if you could do ABC, if not happy to do them


Here is the link

Dying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hears — as it happened

Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

https://www.theguardian.com/austral...088a65239d1dba#block-6818537d8f088a65239d1dba