Convicted Murderer Erin Patterson's Police Interview Released Victoria

Erin Patterson was convicted in July 2025 of murdering her estranged husband Simon Patterson's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, after a deadly lunch containing toxic death cap mushrooms caused their deaths and severely sickened Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson. Police interviews, conducted in August 2023 and later released following a court order, reveal Patterson's cooperation with authorities and her explanation that she maintained close ties with her estranged husband's family as they were her only support network. During questioning, Patterson admitted to previously foraging mushrooms for her guests, a detail that was scrutinized amid suspicions about the source of the poison. The interviews and other evidence, including CCTV footage of Patterson discarding a food dehydrator linked to the case, were critical to the prosecution's case and contributed to her conviction. Patterson’s defense attempted to counter the incriminating interview footage by having her testify, but the strategy failed, leading to her facing life imprisonment. The case has highlighted the complexities of familial relationships and the tragic consequences of the mushroom poisoning.