The Mushroom Murders (10/25/25)

In July 2023, at a home in the regional town of Leongatha, Victoria, Erin Patterson hosted a lunch for family members of her estranged husband—including his parents, Don Patterson and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson. The meal featured beef Wellington that prosecutors say was laced with highly toxic “death cap” mushrooms (Amanita phalloides). Within 24 hours the guests showed signs of severe liver failure; Gail and Heather died soon after, Don died a few days later, and one other guest, Ian Wilkinson, survived after weeks in hospital. to contact me: [email protected]