A woman is currently
facing a jury trial over allegations that she caused the deaths
of three guests and attempted to cause the
death another by way of poisoning.
The defendant, 50-year old Erin Patterson, is on trial in the
Supreme Court of Victoria for allegedly serving her estranged
husband's 70-year old mother Gail and father Don Wilkinson of
the same age, as well as Gail's 66-year old sister Heather and
her 71-year old husband Ian, with beef wellington containing
poisonous 'death cap mushrooms' at the defendant's home
on Lengatha, a small town nearly 150 kilometres south of Melbourne,
on 29 July 2023.
All except Ian - who recovered after weeks of hospital treatment
- died after consuming the dish.
