Overview

• Erin Patterson, accused of poisoning her family with death cap mushrooms, appeared in court on April 15, 2025, and pleaded not guilty.
• The alleged poisoning occurred during a family lunch in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29, 2023, involving a beef Wellington dish reportedly laced with the toxic mushrooms.
• Three family members—Gail Patterson, Don Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson—died from the poisoning, while Ian Wilkinson survived after extensive hospitalization.
• Patterson faces charges of murder and attempted murder, with police alleging her actions were deliberate.
• Her trial is scheduled to begin later this month, marking the next significant phase in the high-profile legal proceedings.