Overview

• Erin Patterson is on trial in the Victoria Supreme Court, charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after allegedly serving beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms in July 2023.
• Prosecutors allege Patterson knowingly poisoned her estranged in-laws and their relatives, citing her use of a different plate, fabricated cancer diagnosis, and traces of death cap mushrooms found in a discarded dehydrator.
• The defense argues the deaths were an unintended tragedy, claiming Patterson panicked and lied during the investigation due to overwhelming guilt and scrutiny.
• Medical evidence confirmed all four guests suffered from death cap mushroom poisoning; three died within days, while one survived after a liver transplant.
• The trial, which has garnered significant public and media attention, is expected to last six weeks and will include testimony from witnesses and forensic experts.