Overview

• A Supreme Court jury in Morwell unanimously found Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder on July 7, 2025.
• Prosecutors presented evidence that she foraged death cap mushrooms at sites identified via iNaturalist, dehydrated and powdered them before concealing the toxin in individually wrapped beef Wellingtons.
• The case hinged on forensic and digital analysis, including mobile phone tower logs, device examinations and mushroom residue found in a discarded food dehydrator.
• Patterson testified that the deaths were accidental and admitted to lying about her foraging activities, ownership of a dehydrator and a fabricated cancer diagnosis.
• Sentencing will be scheduled later this year, with Patterson facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.