Erin Patterson, the mother of three accused of poisoning four relatives with a beef wellington dish, took to the witness box for the second day of her trial. Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Simon’s parents and his aunt, and attempting to murder his uncle.
During her testimony, Patterson revealed that she often sought advice from online sources like Dr Google due to her distrust in the medical system. She also admitted to consulting the online health resource after experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, and weight gain. However, she later realized this was a waste of time and did not diagnose herself with ovarian cancer.
Patterson’s history of family disputes and financial struggles was also exposed. She had been in several relationships, including one that ended with a “formal” separation in 2015. Despite this, she included Simon’s name on the title deed of her property to demonstrate her desire for the family to reunite.
The mother of three also shared her history of health issues affecting her children and how it led to her distrust of the medical system. Her evidence includes receiving inheritances from her grandmother and mother, which allowed her to lend money to Simon’s siblings and their partners, as well as purchasing properties and traveling extensively overseas.
Patterson admitted that she accepted there must have been death cap mushrooms in the beef wellington dish but claimed it was an accident. She told the court that she had found wild mushrooms growing on the property where the lunch was hosted and decided to test its safety by eating it with butter.
As her testimony continues, Patterson’s turbulent life remains a crucial aspect of the trial, shedding light on the complexities of her relationships, health issues, and decision-making process.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/03/erin-patterson-gives-evidence-australia-mushroom-lunch-murder-ntwnfb