Woman Accused of Killing 3 with Poisonous Mushrooms Hid 'Powdered Mushrooms' in Her Kids' Food, Witnesses Testify

• Erin Patterson, who has been accused of feeding poisonous mushrooms to her estranged husband Simon Patterson’s family, previously told a true crime Facebook group that she’d been “hiding powdered mushrooms” in her kids’ food, according to witness testimony
• Erin is on trial after three died from a Beef Wellington she served, which allegedly contained the deadly fungi
• Weeks before the fatal lunch, the suspect, who has pleaded not guilty, asked the Facebook group members for advice on how to cook the dish, one member of the group testified

A woman who has been accused of feeding her estranged husband’s family poisonous mushrooms previously bragged in a Facebook group about hiding mushrooms in her kids’ food, according to witness testimony.

On Monday, May 5, witnesses testified about posts Erin Patterson, 50, made on a true crime group while taking the stand in Australia’s Supreme Court of Victoria at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in Morwell, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

In one message that was shared in the courtroom, Erin wrote, “I’ve been hiding powdered mushrooms in everything. Mixed it into chocolate brownies yesterday, the kids had no idea.” Witness Daniela Barkley testified that the message was from 2023, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Barkley also confirmed Erin had sent photographs of chopped-up button mushrooms to the group and had been “excited” about purchasing a food dehydrator.

Erin is on trial for the murder of three people and the attempted murder of another, per the BBC, after inviting her estranged husband Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, 70, for lunch at her Leongatha, Australia house in July 2023.

Erin also invited Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, and Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, 68, to her lunch, where she served Beef Wellington that contained a deadly mushroom.

After the meal, Don, Gail and Heather were hospitalized and died within days. Ian was also affected but recovered weeks later. Erin has pleaded not guilty to the killings.

Barkley said via video link during the hearing that those in the Facebook group would often discuss cooking, claiming that Erin had previously asked for advice on how to cook Beef Wellington, according to the ABC.

Christine Hunt, another witness who knew Erin from the Facebook group, testified that Erin used three different names online: Erin Patterson, Erin Erin and Erin Erin Erin.

“Erin asked the group if anyone had cooked Beef Wellington before and if they had any advice,” Barkley said, the ABC reported, claiming that she believed Erin had asked for the advice “two weeks before the lunch.”

Barkley said the last time the group had discussed the Beef Wellington had been toward the end of July after Erin had reportedly said she was finding it difficult to find “a cut of meat due to the expense,” the ABC stated.

During questioning, Barkley told the trial Erin’s life “appeared to revolve around her children,” saying she thought “she was a wonderful mother,” the outlet reported.

While giving testimony, Jenny Hay, another online friend of Erin’s, said the suspect asked for advice about cooking Beef Wellington, according to 9 News. “Towards the end of July, Erin said she was making beef Wellington,” she recalled, adding, “I think she was at the supermarket and she messaged us something about the beef that she was buying.”

Hay recalled Erin telling her the mushrooms came from an Asian grocer, the outlet noted.

On Tuesday, May 6, sole survivor Ian took the witness stand and testified that Erin had been eating from an “orangey tan” colored plate on the day of the lunch. He said that her guests had eaten from four gray plates, the BBC stated.

He recalled a doctor telling him and his wife that they were ill because of “suspected mushroom poisoning” after they were taken to the hospital.

“He was very frank. He said it is a very serious situation,” Wilkinson added.

Speaking about Erin, Ian said, “She just seemed like a normal person to me. When we met things were friendly. We never had arguments or disputes. She just seemed like an ordinary person.”

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Erin’s lawyers claimed last week that the whole thing was “a terrible accident,” per 9 News.

The Supreme Court of Victoria didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.