Aussie ‘Mushroom Killer’ Also Tried to Poison Husband: Police

The Australian woman recently convicted of the so-called “mushroom murders” also allegedly attempted to poison her estranged husband on three separate occasions, including with a chicken korma curry, according to new police revelations made public on Friday after a court suppression order was lifted.

Background: Conviction for Mushroom Murders

Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old home cook, was found guilty in July of murdering her former in-laws—Don and Gail Patterson—and their sister-in-law Heather Wilkinson by serving them a beef Wellington laced with lethal death cap mushrooms in 2023.

She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband and a respected local pastor.

The high-profile trial captured national and international attention, drawing crowds of podcasters, filmmakers, and true crime followers to the quiet rural town of Morwell, Victoria — a community more accustomed to horticultural accolades than homicide investigations.

Suppressed Allegations Now Revealed

A number of potentially incriminating allegations regarding Patterson’s behaviour prior to the deadly lunch were previously withheld from the jury to ensure a fair trial.

However, Justice Christopher Beale of the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday rejected an application to continue suppressing these claims, allowing the public release of further damning details.

Among the revelations:

• Erin Patterson allegedly tried to poison her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, on three occasions between 2021 and 2022.
• The suspected poisoned meals included:
  • Pasta bolognese
  • Chicken korma curry
  • A vegetable wrap

These charges were initially brought forward by police but were withdrawn by prosecutors before the trial commenced, with strict media restrictions in place at the time preventing any coverage of the claims.

Upcoming Legal Proceedings

Patterson is scheduled to return to court on 25 August for a sentencing hearing which will determine the length of her imprisonment.

Her legal team retains the right to appeal both her convictions and the sentence within 28 days following the judgment.

Defence Claims and Public Reaction

Throughout the two-month-long trial, Patterson insisted the deaths were a tragic accident, claiming that the beef Wellington had been unknowingly contaminated with death cap mushrooms, one of the most poisonous fungi in the world.

Death Cap Mushrooms

• Often resemble edible mushrooms
• Possess a deceptively sweet taste
• Contain toxins resistant to heat and cooking
• Can cause liver and kidney failure within days

Despite these claims, the jury was unconvinced. Public fascination with the bizarre and tragic case spread far beyond Australia, with coverage extending from New York to New Delhi, and the case earning its nickname: “The Mushroom Murders.”

With the new revelations now in the public domain and sentencing approaching, the Erin Patterson case continues to send shockwaves through Australia — a cautionary tale blending domestic turmoil, culinary deception, and fatal fungi.