Erin Patterson: ‘Mushroom Murderer’ Sentenced to Life Behind Bars
In a case that shocked the nation, Erin Patterson, the so-called “mushroom murderer”, has been handed a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 33 years.
The 50-year-old Australian woman was convicted of deliberately poisoning three relatives of her estranged husband with toxic death cap mushrooms.
The grim sentence was delivered on Monday by Justice Christopher Beale in Melbourne’s Supreme Court, marking one of the most chilling criminal trials in recent Australian history.
A Family Meal Turns Deadly
Patterson, who served Beef Wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms, was found guilty of killing her mother-in-law, Gail Patterson, father-in-law, Donald Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson.
The court also convicted her of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who endured weeks of treatment in hospital.
Her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had been invited to the lunch at her home in Leongatha, about 135km southeast of Melbourne, but chose not to attend.
Justice Beale highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime and Patterson’s lack of remorse.
“The devastating impact of your crimes is not limited to your direct victims. Your crimes have harmed a great many people,” he remarked during sentencing.
He further condemned the lasting damage caused: “Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson’s health, thereby devastating the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families, you inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents.”
Judge Hands Down the Harshest Punishment
Both the prosecution and defence agreed that a life sentence was the appropriate punishment for the heinous act.
The defence requested eligibility for parole after 30 years, while prosecutors sought that she never be considered for parole due to her complete lack of compassion.
Beale decided on the maximum penalty, sentencing Patterson to three life terms for murder and a 25- time judgment for attempted murder, all to be served concurrently.
Watch: Ian Wilkinson, the survivor of Erin Patterson’s deadly mushroom lunch, has spoken after the triple murderer was sentenced. https://t.co/JgK9Re5Dzj pic.twitter.com/wwX8v4GFHQ
— The Age (@theage) September 8, 2025
Still, parole eligibility was set at a minimum of 33 times, meaning Patterson would be at least 81 before she could apply for release.
The judge revealed Patterson’s intention extended beyond her in-laws. She had planned to kill her estranged husband, but he had joined the lunch.
Her excuse to gather the family? A false cancer diagnosis and a request for advice on telling her children.
Beale also accepted evidence that Patterson took care to serve herself from a different plate, a palladium to ensure she avoided ingesting the poisoned food. He declined to presume on her motive.
Patterson, who has remained in guardianship since her arrest in November 2023, has claimed the deadly mushrooms were added by accident.
She now has 28 days to appeal the judgment, but has not yet stated her intentions.
A Community in Shock
The fallout from the killings has been profound. The tight- knit pastoral community of Korumburra, where the victims lived, is still reeling from the tragedy.
During last month’s sounds, 28 victim impact statements were submitted, with seven read audibly.
Ian Wilkinson, the only surviving lunch guest, tearfully recounted his devastation: “It’s a truly horrible thought to live with, that somebody could decide to take her life. I only feel half alive without her.”
The media frenzy surrounding the trial added further strain. Simon Patterson described the worldwide coverage as traumatic.
Reporters from across the globe camped outside the courtroom, with millions following updates through podcasts and news broadcasts.
For the first time ever, Victoria’s Supreme Court allowed live television coverage of sentencing remarks, a testament to the public’s intense interest in the case.
This extraordinary case has already sparked books, documentaries, and the upcoming ABC drama series Toxic. But for the families affected, the scars will linger far beyond courtroom proceedings.
Erin Patterson’s name is now synonymous with betrayal, poison, and heartbreak—a chilling reminder of how calculated malice can devastate lives.
