Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for murdering three relatives by poisoning them with death cap mushrooms during a family lunch in 2023, a case that concluded with her sentencing on September 8, 2025, in Melbourne’s Supreme Court of Victoria. The sentencing brings an end to a high-profile trial that gripped Australia and highlighted the deliberate nature of the crimes, with Justice Christopher Beale emphasizing the severe impact on the victims’ families and the community.
Patterson, 50, was found guilty in July 2025 after an 11-week trial for the murders of Don and Gail Patterson—her estranged husband’s parents—and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, as well as the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband. The poisoning occurred during a lunch at Patterson’s home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29, 2023, where she served beef wellingtons laced with toxic mushrooms, leading to the deaths of three guests within days and leaving Ian Wilkinson critically ill for weeks.
The prosecution argued that Patterson acted with premeditation, using the lunch as a pretext under the false claim of a cancer diagnosis to gather the family, and intentionally ensured she ate from a different-colored plate to avoid poisoning herself. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Patterson had planned the event carefully, and the jury concluded beyond reasonable doubt that she was responsible for the deaths, rejecting her defense that the mushroom inclusion was accidental.
Victim impact statements revealed the profound grief and trauma experienced by the families, with Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, describing how the loss of his wife left him feeling ‘half alive’ but offering forgiveness in a moving court address. Simon Patterson, the estranged husband, highlighted the devastating effect on their two children, who were robbed of their grandparents and must cope with their mother’s notoriety and imprisonment.
Justice Beale, in delivering the sentence, noted the ‘horrendous’ nature of the crimes and the lack of remorse shown by Patterson, factors that justified the maximum penalty. He acknowledged the harsh prison conditions Patterson has endured, including isolation for her safety due to the high profile of the case, but stressed that this did not diminish the severity of her actions or the need for a lengthy sentence to reflect justice for the victims.
The case has attracted unprecedented media attention in Australia, with the sentencing broadcast live—a historic first for Victoria—and has sparked widespread public discussion about crime and family dynamics. Patterson’s defense cited her isolation and the burden of imprisonment, but the judge maintained that the crimes warranted life behind bars, with eligibility for parole only after 33 years, when she will be 81 years old.
Patterson has 28 days to appeal the conviction or sentence, though she has not indicated any plans to do so. The community of Korumburra, where the victims resided, continues to grapple with the aftermath, and the case has already inspired various media productions, underscoring its cultural impact. The sentencing provides a measure of closure, but the emotional and social repercussions will linger for years to come.