A Victorian Supreme Court jury has found 50-year-old Erin Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, bringing closure to a case that gripped Australia and drew global attention.

The charges relate to a deadly July 2023 lunch in Leongatha, Victoria, where Patterson prepared a homemade beef Wellington containing lethal death cap mushrooms. The dish resulted in the deaths of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived but suffered severe organ damage.

Throughout a 10-week trial, prosecutors laid out damning evidence, including internet searches linked to toxic mushrooms and the discovery of a discarded food dehydrator bearing traces of the deadly substance. Although Patterson claimed the incident was unintentional, her credibility faltered under cross-examination—especially after admitting to fabricating a cancer diagnosis.

After six days of deliberation, jurors delivered a unanimous verdict. Patterson remained expressionless as the decision was announced. She now awaits sentencing, with the possibility of life imprisonment looming.

The case has sparked renewed dialogue in Australia about food poisoning awareness, the regulation of toxic substances, and domestic abuse prevention. AMN-USA will continue to follow developments as they unfold.