Australian Woman on Trial for Fatal Mushroom Poisoning in Family Lunch

Erin Patterson, an Australian woman charged with murdering three of her estranged husband's elderly relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with lethal death cap mushrooms, testified that she may have accidentally included foraged fungi in the dish. She denied deliberately poisoning the meal, instead attributing the tragedy to a possible mix-up between store-bought and foraged mushrooms she had collected during the COVID-19 lockdown. Patterson admitted to fabricating medical issues, including falsely claiming she might have cancer, to elicit sympathy and maintain the care of her husband's relatives, a claim the prosecution argues was to lure the victims to her home. The prosecution alleges Patterson intentionally poisoned the victims and took steps to conceal evidence, but she maintains her innocence and claims the deaths were a terrible accident. The trial, which has drawn intense media attention, continues as Patterson faces the possibility of a life sentence if convicted. She also faces charges for the attempted murder of a fourth guest who survived after a prolonged hospital stay.