Erin Patterson, the 41-year-old woman from Leongatha who fed them the meal, was sentenced to life in prison. She was sentenced for the murder of three members of her family and the attempt to murder a fourth. On July 7, 2023, a jury found her guilty of three counts of murder. They convicted her on one count of attempted murder, all of which stemmed from a sad chain of events that began at an in-home lunch. The court found that Patterson had premeditated the crime with great precision. This extensive planning constituted “substantial premeditation” at least two weeks prior to the fatal rally.
Patterson’s sentencing occurred October 12. Justice Beale sentenced Phillips to serve three consecutive life sentences for the murders, plus an additional, consecutive 25 years for the attempted murder. She is now eligible for parole after 33 years served. Assuming she serves her full sentence, she won’t be released until 2056, when she is 82 years old.
The Fatal Lunch
On July 29, 2023, something horrific happened. Patterson invited her family to visit her home in Leongatha, which is around 135 kilometers (approximately 84 miles) southeast of Melbourne. She served a dish that was said to have poisonous native mushrooms. This sinister recipe was responsible for the gruesome deaths of her in-laws, Don and Gail Wilkinson, and her estranged husband, Simon Patterson. Only one, Ian Wilkinson, survived but was left with debilitating long-term health consequences.
In a grim turn, Patterson attempted to deceive investigators. She changed her mobile phone and provided the police with a “dummy” phone that had been factory reset. Throughout the investigation, she insisted she was innocent, that her relatives’ illnesses were unfortunate accidents.
“I didn’t do anything, I loved them.” – Erin Patterson
As the trial progressed, Patterson’s defense shifted. She asserted that it was possible wild mushrooms accidentally got mixed in with the meal purchased in the supermarket and Asian markets. But whatever else she may claim, the jury simply didn’t buy her account, returning a guilty verdict.
Emotional Sentencing Hearing
During the sentencing hearing, Justice Beale addressed Patterson directly, highlighting the profound impact of her actions on the victims’ families. He remarked on her lack of remorse, stating that it “pours salt into all the victims’ wounds.” He noted the human cost—the emotional upheaval suffered by the children of her victims.
“The children of your direct victims speak of the distress of watching their parents suffer in hospital.” – Justice Beale
Justice Beale emphasized the gravity of Patterson’s actions, noting that she had not only cut short three lives but inflicted lasting damage on Ian Wilkinson’s health. The ramifications reached well beyond the victims, impacting their families and loved ones in a particularly tragic way.
Additionally, testimony during trial showed Patterson’s negative attitude toward and derogatory remarks about her victims. In text messages to her friends, she referred to them as “a lost cause.” This exemplified her uncaring approach to people who would be harmed by her policies.
“You said, ‘f**k them’ and that the best thing that you could do is forget about all of them and live your life.” – Justice Beale
The Aftermath and Community Reaction
The tragedy of this case has truly shaken the Leongatha community to its core. Friends and family joined fellow residents who couldn’t entirely believe that such a tragedy could strike their town. After the sentencing, a number of community members spoke out, lamenting the loss of life in this tragedy and offering condolences to the impacted families.
As one local resident put it, Erin Patterson’s act of evil had torn apart the fabric of a once tightly-woven community. The sentiment echoed throughout the area: “They brought to light the truth of what happened with the death of three good people,” said Ian Wilkinson, reflecting on the grief shared by many.
Erin Patterson’s case has opened a broader conversation about mental wellness and family dynamics among local communities. Many have resoundingly called for more attention to domestic matters that contribute to such tragic results.
