GUILTY Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 *Arrest* #19

[Monstradamus]

I haven’t, sorry. I only joined WS for the Erin Patterson matter after lurking for a few months

I’ve met quite a few psychopaths in my line of work /study but they’re on a gradient. Some mask better than others.

Murdaugh was up there with Erin, IMO. By that, I mean, masterful at close social manipulation and social hierarchy influence, obviously in Murdaughs case it was wider reaching due to his generational social and cultural influence - Erin was more of an introverted loner, but both are similar in their arrogance and cluelessness when it comes to genuine human grief/emotion. Many psychopaths better mask this behaviour. Interestingly I think Erin is more sophisticated and intelligent than Murdaugh but their absolute grandiosity is very similar, IMO.

I don’t want to derail this thread with this unrelated crime, but I found the comparisons very interesting personally. I remember when I watched the documentary on Murdaugh, I was aghast that they were surprised that Mallory’s parents weren’t toeing the social line, I predicted exactly what would come next because Mallory’s parents suffered the most traumatic emotion a human can - the loss of a child. Anyone who truly understands this level of love knows that when that happens, all social norms go out the window. There’s no greater grief and it becomes a zero sum game. Their backs are against a wall and nothing can eclipse it. They’ve got nothing to lose at that point which makes them extraordinarily powerful. Psychopaths don’t know this level of love and connection so they can’t predict it.

Murdaugh also took the stand
When Erin was taking the stand I wasn’t shocked because she’s such a narcissistic person who is used to being able to manipulate others, but I was still a little shocked that she, like Murdaugh, thought it was a good idea.

IMO

Yes, they are both very similar, imo. Both thought they could talk their way out of trouble, if they just had their opportunity on the stand.

Murdaugh is a lawyer, a liar, a narcissist and a murderer.

Erin isn't a lawyer.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

I’m so glad you said it.

The leftovers were there in the bin, she told the police where to find it.

Also, IMO, after discovering Dr Chris Ford is not only Simon’s GP but also a member of the same prayer group, it all makes sense why Simon was able to call him directly. Apparently they once spoke for 55 minutes and I was just in awe of these small town doctors and their dedication.

“Simon Patterson gave evidence in the pre-trial that he told Dr Ford about his suspicions that Erin was trying to poison him, and after Dr Ford suggested he keep a record of any meals prepared by Erin, he started compiling a spreadsheet of events.”

Why Simon's alleged poisoning charges were dropped - South Gippsland Sentinel Times

ON MONDAY, July 7, 2025, Leongatha mother of two, Erin Patterson, was found guilty on four charges, three counts of murder against her in-laws Gail and Don Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, and one of attempted murder against Ian...

www.sgst.com.au

One small query…. a spreadsheet was the first thing to pop into mind?
Isn’t there some kind of law enforcement in Australia? People that wear nice uniforms and drive cars with flashing lights? There to protect the community and fight crime? They use the same bracelets as my girlfriend, where I live we call them police.

It's a terrible shame that SP shared his concerns with someone who wasn't able to offer up more empowering and realistic advice. This has now cost several people's lives and almost ended SP's own life.

There are some elements of this case that are quite baffling and no surprise that EP thought she could get away with murder - she almost did! She must have thought people were just going to politely die and nobody mention it. She must have felt quite omnipotent. JMO MOO

 

[packetgravy]

It's a terrible shame that SP shared his concerns with someone who wasn't able to offer up more empowering and realistic advice. This has now cost several people's lives and almost ended SP's own life.

There are some elements of this case that are quite baffling and no surprise that EP thought she could get away with murder - she almost did! She must have thought people were just going to politely die and nobody mention it. She must have felt quite omnipotent. JMO MOO

I share the same sentiment, Simon was not taken seriously by one single person. I thought this would be something a doctor has a duty of care to report, regardless of a personal relationship with the patient.

Also, Dr Chris Webster (after receiving a call from Dr Chris Ford about the potential poisonings), did not call the police until after Erin had left.

When he did speak to them, he chose not to mention the poisonings were suspected to be deliberate.

Just… why

 

[packetgravy]

I think she is definitely socially anomalous, and she told me she had Aspergers / High Functioning Autism, and I could kind of see it, but, as you probably know with your daughter, most Aspies/HFA are honest to a fault, blunt in ways that oftentimes has dire social consequences and causes great distress to the ASPIE/ASD individual, in addition to being quite bad at being manipulative due to not fully understanding social cues, and or, having a moral disdain for manipulation.

A lot of incorrect, sweeping statements here which are outdated, harmful and no longer recognised under the ASD umbrella.

 

[packetgravy]

1. above BBM.
Hello @packetgravy,

(IM), there's no evidence in (your) sources or anywhere else whatsoever that Heather Wilkinson spoke about the 'striped plate' with anyone, prior to her vicious, cruel & untimely death.

• Striped plate image provided by Victorian Supreme Court, source: See the evidence used to convict Erin Patterson in the mushroom murder trial - ABC News, Tue 8th Jul, 2025:

"The images also showed some of the plates in Patterson's kitchen.

During the trial, Ian Wilkinson gave evidence that guests were served on white plates, while Erin ate her meal from a small orange plate.

Erin Patterson said she had served the meals on a variety of plates — some white, some red and black. A rainbow-striped plate was identified in the trial as one made at kindergarten by Patterson's daughter."

View attachment 609453

Another 'striped-herring', I'd suggest, introduced by liar-liar-your-pants-R-onpatterson, as she flailed about (under oath) trying to save her sad-sack-sorry-a & divert attention from her murderous actions.

As always Ms, Ms
Edit - removed a superfluous bracket

I said she kept the striped plate, which Heather spoke about. I did not say Heather specifically used the words “striped plate.”

Edit- There are two plates with colours, the striped one and the white one with scribbles on it.

She did however, speak about a plate
WITH COLOURS ON IT

“Her plate had colours on it.”

Read it again, the witness statement was Simon’s.

R V Patterson Ruling 5
In relation to evidence.

R v Patterson (Ruling 5) [2025] VSC 106 - BarNet Jade

The smart way to search, annotate and share Australian legal judgments, decisions and statutes!

jade.io

 

[SouthAussie]

I said she kept the striped plate, which Heather spoke about. I did not say Heather specifically used the words “striped plate.”

Exactly. Heather did not mention a striped plate.

imo

 

[packetgravy]

Exactly. Heather did not mention a striped plate.

imo

“her plate had colours on it” certainly tracks when looking at this plate.


IMO

 

[SouthAussie]

“her plate had colours on it” certainly tracks when looking at this plate.

View attachment 609593

It is still an assumption in your post. There is nothing specific to say it was a striped plate, nor the striped plate that was photographed in the drawer.


Inside Patterson’s home, Ian recalled her plating the individual beef wellingtons on four large grey plates and a smaller plate – an “orangey, tan” colour. Patterson, he said, ate from the odd plate.

Five key moments in the murder trial of Australia’s mushroom lunch cook Erin Patterson

Over more than two months the court heard details of a meal of beef wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms and killed three

www.theguardian.com

imo

 

[packetgravy]

It is still an assumption in your post. There is nothing specific to say it was a striped plate, nor the striped plate that was photographed in the drawer.


Inside Patterson’s home, Ian recalled her plating the individual beef wellingtons on four large grey plates and a smaller plate – an “orangey, tan” colour. Patterson, he said, ate from the odd plate.

Five key moments in the murder trial of Australia’s mushroom lunch cook Erin Patterson

Over more than two months the court heard details of a meal of beef wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms and killed three

www.theguardian.com

imo

Ok, I hear what you are saying. Ive gone back to have another look at the evidence.

I wonder if Ian was referring to one of the plates below and Heather may have described the plate on the right, with coloured scribbles all over it.

 

[ch_13]

I said she kept the striped plate, which Heather spoke about. I did not say Heather specifically used the words “striped plate.”

With all due respect, this is just wordplay. And then to fall back on the frankly feeble excuse of, "Well I didn't literally say that Heather mentioned a striped plate, I just heavily insinuated it."

You could have just plainly state your opinion that the photographed plate could be the one Heather spoke about, rather than state it as a fact. Did you just hope no one would call you on it?

 

[SouthAussie]

Ok, I hear what you are saying. Ive gone back to have another look at the evidence.

I wonder if Ian was referring to one of the plates below and Heather may have described the plate on the right, with coloured scribbles all over it.


View attachment 609594

That plate on the right does not appear to be an "orangey,tan" colour to me.

Either way it is a pointless venture trying to work out what plate Ian (or Heather) was speaking of. The salient point is the plate was different than the rest. We will never know if it was because Erin was short on plates, or if she wanted to ensure that she ate from a non-poisoned plate.

imo

 

[drsleuth]

I share the same sentiment, Simon was not taken seriously by one single person. I thought this would be something a doctor has a duty of care to report, regardless of a personal relationship with the patient.

Also, Dr Chris Webster (after receiving a call from Dr Chris Ford about the potential poisonings), did not call the police until after Erin had left.

When he did speak to them, he chose not to mention the poisonings were suspected to be deliberate.

Just… why

Just maybe Dr Webster was very busy trying to save lives & organise the urgent patient transfers............Erin was there for 5minutes.

A medical practitioner would also need the consent of his patient to make any report to police IMO.

The only person to blame in this case is Erin Patterson. She is the murderer.

 

[packetgravy]

With all due respect, this is just wordplay. And then to fall back on the frankly feeble excuse of, "Well I didn't literally say that Heather mentioned a striped plate, I just heavily insinuated it."

You could have just plainly state your opinion that the photographed plate could be the one Heather spoke about, rather than state it as a fact. Did you just hope no one would call you on it?

My apologies for the confusion.

I referenced the striped plate after reading the witness testimony as I could not identify any other plate which fit the description.

I have since gone back and see I have missed the plate on the right which appears to have colours/scribbles on it.

I presume this is the one the child made in kindy, which certainly makes a lot more sense than the striped one (which I was super impressed with for a kindy craft lol).

 

[packetgravy]

Just maybe Dr Webster was very busy trying to save lives & organise the urgent patient transfers............Erin was there for 5minutes.

A medical practitioner would also need the consent of his patient to make any report to police IMO.

The only person to blame in this case is Erin Patterson. She is the murderer.

Was he not required by law to report if he suspects attempted murder? How is this not an exception under AMA?

AMA-Code Homepage

Homepage for AMA-Code.

code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org

IMO

 

[blukat]

That's the homepage for the American Medical Association...

 

[SouthAussie]

Was he not required by law to report if he suspects attempted murder?

Emergency operator: “Hello, what address do you need. The police?”

Dr Webster: “This is Dr Chris Webster from Leongatha Hospital. I have a concern about a patient who presented here earlier, but has left the building and is potentially exposed to a fatal toxin from mushroom poisoning ........

Dr Webster: “Yes, so there were five people who ate a meal on Saturday. Two of them are in intensive care at Dandenong Hospital. Two have been transferred to Dandenong Hospital. And Erin presented this morning with symptoms of poisoning.” ......

Dr Webster: “No, there was time for a nurse to begin observations, and I was managing the other critically unwell patients, so I had a brief chat with her about where the mushrooms were obtained. After that, while I was attending the other patients, the nurse informed me she had discharged herself against medical advice.” .......

Emergency operator: “ I’ve got the police notified for ***. Would you like them to contact you with an outcome?”

Dr Webster: “Yes, I would be happy for them to contact me at any time on the mobile number.”

The frantic triple-0 call doctor made after death cap poisoning

Audio from the call made to emergency services after her deadly meal has been released.

7news.com.au

 

[Susjay]

I think she is definitely socially anomalous, and she told me she had Aspergers / High Functioning Autism, and I could kind of see it, but, as you probably know with your daughter, most Aspies/HFA are honest to a fault, blunt in ways that oftentimes has dire social consequences and causes great distress to the ASPIE/ASD individual, in addition to being quite bad at being manipulative due to not fully understanding social cues, and or, having a moral disdain for manipulation.

Conversely, Erin was definitely brash, blunt at times, and socially inappropriate, but not in the way Autistic or Aspergers people are, in my opinion. Highly manipulative, also. One of the quotes from an Air Traffic Controller colleague said she "managed to wrap men around her little finger" - I don't think I've ever heard that said of anyone with Autism. All of her traits fit ASPD instead, in my (non psychologist/psychiatrist) opinion.

Yes, although my experience is there can be manipulation when the person is a mature adult. May have memories like elephants seemingly and will often hold grudges. Will need to learn how to react socially, and will play act interaction as it doesn’t come naturally. Obsessive with hobbies (LEGO) and online interaction preferred. Rarely maintains long term friendships. Has to be in control of surroundings and others. Can have visceral sensitivities with clothes, smells, food etc. Mega tantrums when questioned or contradicted. And often described as rude, abrupt and selfish. This doesn’t apply to all, as all unique. But, more than any of this or any particular characteristics, there’s a whole lot of messed up and dysfunctional going on when a person chooses to plan and proceed with heinous acts that will cause severe levels of suffering and death. Thankfully, those who plan and act like this are outliers and we associate their traits with labels like psychopathology or malignant narcissism.

 

[Susjay]

A lot of incorrect, sweeping statements here which are outdated, harmful and no longer recognised under the ASD umbrella.

Incorrect. This is the writer’s opinion and she has said this. And the person in question, personally told the writer she had this label. Whether officially diagnosed or assumed. We have heard about the person found guilty having an ability to “know better” than professionals. Yes, Asp is no longer recognised under the Autism umbrella in the DSMV but it formerly was. Many people with higher funct Autism appreciated this label and being able to say things like, sorry I came off a bit all of or rude I’m a bit Aspie, for example. My experience and work in this field indicates that women mainly, and men also are often overlooked in being identified until their adult years, where it may be a relief because it provides a framework for understanding difficulties in the past. And this is my opinion.

 

[packetgravy]

That's the homepage for the American Medical Association...

Haha that’s my bad! AMC*

Australian Medical Council | The AMC’s purpose is to ensure that standards of education, training and assessment of the medical profession promote and protect the health of the Australian community.

www.amc.org.au

 

[drsleuth]

Haha that’s my bad! AMC*

Australian Medical Council | The AMC’s purpose is to ensure that standards of education, training and assessment of the medical profession promote and protect the health of the Australian community.

www.amc.org.au

You've now linked the educational pathways for Doctor's

We are an independent national standards body for medical education and training​

The AMC’s purpose is to ensure that the standards of education, training and assessment of the medical profession promote and protect the health of the Australian community.