She Lied About Cancer to Lure Family Over for Lunch — Then Served a Deadly Meal: Prosecutors

The Australian woman accused of poisoning her ex in-laws with mushrooms after inviting them for lunch lied to her guests about having cancer, prosecutors reportedly said.

Erin Patterson is accused of murdering her ex-husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, in July 2023, NBC reported. 

Heather’s husband, Ian, 68, was also in attendance at the lunch at Erin’s home in Leongotha, Australia, and was hospitalized as a result but later recovered.

News.com.au reported that Erin served them Beef Wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms, according to authorities. 

Erin’s ex-husband, Simon, was also invited to the lunch but did not attend, according to police. The Associated Press reported that authorities previously alleged she had tried to poison Simon on three separate occasions.

Victoria police said Erin was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

During Erin’s trial, prosecutors told the court that she had lied to her guests, telling them she had cancer and wanted advice on how to tell her children, CNN reported.

Prosecutors argued that Erin used the cancer story as a way to ensure that her children would not be at the lunch, according to CNN. The outlet further reported that the defense did not dispute the cancer lie.

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The Guardian reported that Erin’s defense team argued that she did not intend to serve poisonous mushrooms.

“She did not intend to cause any harm to anyone on that day,” defense attorney Colin Mandy reportedly said. “The defense case is this was a tragedy and terrible accident.”

CNN reported that Erin pleaded not guilty to the charges she faces.