Erin Patterson Testifies in Triple Murder Trial Over 2023 Poisoning

Erin Patterson is on trial in regional Victoria, accused of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth by serving a beef Wellington meal containing death cap mushrooms in July 2023. She denies intentional harm and claims the poisoning was a tragic accident, though she admitted to lying about owning a food dehydrator during police interviews. Throughout the trial, Patterson has expressed emotional regret over hostile messages about her in-laws and described complex family tensions, particularly over finances and child support with her estranged husband Simon. She also discussed her history of consulting online medical information amid concerns about cancer symptoms, which prosecutors suggest could have been used to fabricate a cancer diagnosis. Despite formal separation from Simon in 2015, Patterson maintained relationships with his family, though disputes escalated by late 2022. The prosecution is cross-examining Patterson extensively to establish motives and challenge her version of events.