Mushroom murderer: key points in Patterson's conviction
* 2015: Erin and Simon Patterson separate but continue an amicable relationship with shared custody of their two children
* November 2022: Simon notices a change in their relationship after he changes his tax return to "separated" and Erin asks for child support
* June 24, 2023: Erin hosts her former in-laws, Don and Gail, for lunch with her children at her home in Leongatha; no one falls ill
* June 28, 2023: Erin tells Don and Gail about a lump on her elbow that requires testing
* July 16, 2023: At a Sunday service held at Korumburra Baptist Church, where Simon's uncle Ian Wilkinson is pastor, Erin invites Simon, Don, Gail, Ian and his wife Heather to another lunch at her home
* July 28, 2023: Simon texts Erin to decline her invitation and says he feels too uncomfortable to attend the lunch
* July 29, 2023: Don, Gail, Heather and Ian gather at Erin's home in Leongatha, where they eat beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms cooked by Erin. All four become sick in the late evening
* July 30, 2023: All four go to local hospitals in Leongatha and nearby Korumburra before being transferred to Dandenong and then the Austin Hospital in Melbourne
* July 31, 2023: Erin taken by ambulance from Leongatha Hospital to Monash Medical Centre with stomach pains; a toxicologist notifies Victoria's health department about the suspected poisoning event
* August 1, 2023: Health Department speaks to Erin for four-and-a-half hours before she is discharged from Monash; she says she bought some of the mushrooms for the beef Wellington from Leongatha Woolworths and used dried mushrooms from an Asian grocer in Melbourne's southeast
* August 3, 2023: Victoria Police launches its investigation into the lunch
* August 4, 2023: Gail, 70, and her sister Heather, 66, die in hospital after being diagnosed with Amanita phalloides, death cap mushroom poisoning, the same day police find a dehydrator at Koonwarra Transfer Station
* August 5, 2023: Don, 70, dies in hospital after also being diagnosed with death cap mushroom poisoning, the same day police search Patterson's Leongatha home and take her to the station for an interview
* September 23, 2023: Ian released from hospital
* April 29, 2025: Trial against Erin starts in Morwell with a jury of 15 empanelled, openings begin the following day
* June 2, 2025: Erin enters the witness box to give evidence in her own trial which lasts for eight days
* June 30, 2025: The jury is sent away to start deliberating
* July 7, 2025: The jury returns guilty verdicts for the murders of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson and the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson
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7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Why Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon pulled out last minute before deadly mushroom lunch
One guest invited to dine at Erin Patterson's lunch table pulled out the night before as he was 'too uncomfortable to attend'. But when her estranged husband Simon was called to give evidence to her trial — after she poisoned his parents, aunt and uncle — he was legally unable to explain why. Simon believed Patterson had been trying to poison him since 2021. Media were banned from reporting on pre-trial hearing evidence, to allow Patterson time to appeal, but that order was lifted on Friday. Simon texted Patterson the night before the meal, saying he was too uncomfortable to attend. Patterson tried to persuade him to come, even resorting to 'guilt-tripping'. 'That's really disappointing. I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch … because I wanted it to be a special meal,' she texted back. 'I hope you'll change your mind. Your parents and Heather and Ian are coming at 12.30. I hope to see you there.' 'I thought there was a risk she would poison me if I attended,' Simon said, explaining why he turned down the invitation. The jury did hear about how he claimed he was poisoned and that he had told family about it — including his father Don, who would die from Patterson's cooking. Patterson, 50, was found guilty by a jury on July 7 and convicted of three murders and one attempted murder over a death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington she served up to Simon's family. Simon told a pre-trial hearing in 2024 he believed his estranged wife had tried to poison him four times before the toxic beef Wellington lunch. He informed his father, sister and cousin in 2022, and joked to Patterson about the alleged poisonings, many of which happened on camping trips together. 'Erin was trying to poison him with food in meals that she cooked for him, that only Simon was at risk,' his sister Anna Terrington said about what she was told. Simon informed Don about eight months before the mushroom lunch, in November 2022, adding his father suggested he not 'tell too many people about that'. Simon also told his cousin Tim Patterson, which the killer's estranged husband said was a 'turning point', in September of that year. He claimed he 'joked' with Patterson before a camping trip that month 'she might put something in the food and poison me'. The day before the fatal meal, Simon's mother Gail — who did not know about the attempted poisonings — asked him why he wasn't going to the lunch. Simon explained he didn't think it would be wise because of 'all the things that happened in the recent past with Erin'. He said his father Don then helped him 'move the conversation on from that question'. Don and Gail, 70, would die in hospital along with Gail's sister Heather, 66, days after eating the meal Patterson cooked. Simon told pre-trial hearings he believed he was first poisoned the night before a planned camping trip to Wilson's Promontory in November 2021. He ate penne bolognese made by Patterson and vomited at her home next morning, as well as on the way to the campsite, he said. Patterson arranged accommodation for them instead of camping and the following day he felt like he was 'going downhill' and needed to go to hospital. Simon assumed it was gastro and was transferred to Monash Hospital, where he stayed for five days as a doctor was concerned about his kidneys. The second suspected alleged poisoning happened during another camping trip between May 25 and 27, 2022, when Simon said Patterson supplied all of the food. He said he became sick at about midnight and they drove to Mansfield Hospital next morning, when he was given anti-nausea drugs and discharged after the vomiting stopped. However, his condition got worse once they returned home and he called Patterson, who took him to hospital. Simon fell into a coma and underwent several surgeries, including one in which part of his bowel was removed. Doctors did not find the cause of the illness, he said. Simon said he stayed with Patterson and their two kids at her Leongatha home for a month while he recovered. His wife cared for him during that time, communicating with his family, cleaning his home, paying his bills and getting his car serviced and a tyre fixed, he said. The jury was shown evidence during the trial that Patterson had accessed a death cap mushroom sighting on the iNaturalist website on May 28, 2022. Weeks later, in July 2022, Simon said Patterson made him a stew for lunch and he began feeling sick by midnight. He was transferred to Monash Hospital but his symptoms abated and he went back to Patterson's home again, staying for two weeks until she became upset and he went home. In September 2022, Patterson wanted to go for a walk with him and she again brought food for the trip, Simon said. After eating a vegetable wrap and curry lunch, he started feeling 'uneasy' and 'a little unwell'. Patterson had the same meal, he said, but without the wrap she had covered in foil and given to him. Simon said he became increasingly sick, so they left and drove to his parents' house before an ambulance was called. He said he began to slur his words on the journey to hospital and lost muscle function. By the time he got to hospital he could only move his neck, tongue and lips. He said those symptoms continued until he was given anaesthetic. Prosecutor Nanette Rogers alleged Patterson deliberately 'allocated certain foods' to Simon in each suspected poisoning, much like she did in choosing different plates for her beef Wellington lunch guests to her own. But defence lawyers claimed it was not clear whether Simon assisted in preparing some of the meals and said Patterson had eaten the same food. Simon told his GP, Dr Christopher Ford, about the alleged poisonings and removed Patterson from his medical power of attorney about five months before she served up the poisonous beef Wellingtons. 'He thought that Erin was trying to poison him,' Ford told pre-trial hearings. When Simon told Dr Ford his family were in hospital on the day after the July 2023 lunch, the GP called and alerted his medical colleagues. Heather and Ian Wilkinson went to Leongatha Hospital, while Don and Gail Patterson were at Korumburra Hospital. Dr Ford said he spoke to Leongatha on-call doctor Chris Webster about two people who would be coming to him with food poisoning. He claimed he warned Dr Webster 'based on previous events that were going on with some of my patients' it was worth keeping an eye on their electrolytes and to 'make sure they're all OK'. Dr Ford also tried calling Korumburra Hospital but could not get through and instead drove there to speak to the on-call doctor. He told them there was a chance Don and Gail's symptoms would decline and worried they might have been deliberately poisoned by Patterson, the GP said. Simon started seeing Dr Ford in 2022 and said he told him to compile a spreadsheet of activities and meals before he had fallen ill. 'I couldn't understand why these things kept on happening to him, almost three near-death experiences,' the doctor said. 'It didn't fit into any of the medical models that would account for those things.' Dr Ford said he investigated Simon for low potassium after his fourth hospital admission and Simon was referred to specialists including a gastroenterologist and a kidney doctor. Simon was at times told he had gastro, low potassium, hypertension, hyperthyroidism and high cholesterol. During pre-trial, Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy SC said the claims involving Simon could not be proven on the medical evidence and Patterson denied all attempted murder charges. Justice Christopher Beale ruled Patterson should face two trials, one for the murders and one for Simon's alleged attempted murder. However, prosecutors discontinued the latter charges and focused their trial on the murderous lunch.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Slain gangster's texts with sex worker
It was the drive-by shooting that shocked Sydney's underworld. Bilal Hamze was gunned down outside an Asian fusion restaurant four years ago. The gangster lay groaning on the pavement outside the high end restaurant after 10 bullets were fired at him. Blood spilling from his mouth, the sex worker he'd just been dining with screamed over him. This week, his text messages with the woman have revealed the last-minute change of plans that landed him outside the Sydney restaurant where he was shot and killed. Hamze was all set to meet with the woman – who'd known him for months as 'Bill' – at Potts Point restaurant Ms.G's on June 16, 2021. Bilal Hamze met with a sex worker for dinner on June 17, hours before he was shot dead. Supplied. Credit: Supplied There were a 'number of threats' on the gangster's life at this stage, with a court told there was a clear conflict between crime families the Hamzes and Alameddines. Hamze's texts with the sex worker, who cannot be identified, revealed she'd asked to reschedule their dinner on June 16 to the following evening before she requested another change of plans. 'I was gonna say if you haven't booked Ms G's we should try that Kid Kyoto we were talking about last time,' she texted him about 6pm on June 17 over the encrypted app Signal. Bilal Hamze died in hospital on June 17 after 10 shots were fired at him. Supplied. Credit: News Corp Australia 'Now I really know you love your Japanese,' Hamze replied, agreeing. Footage shows Hamze making his way to the restaurant where he spent an hour and a half with the woman. How alleged gangland shooting of Bilal Hamze and alleged plot to kill his brother Ibrahem unfoldedBut it was only one minute after they left the venue, at 10.23pm, when the first of 10 shots were fired at Hamze from a stolen Audi. 'I've never heard anything like it, I didn't know what it was,' the sex worker's police statement read. Hamze ran after a second shot was fired, the sex worker seeking shelter in Kid Kyoto's doorway. The stolen Audi spotted travelling east through the Lane Cove Tunnel at 9.44pm on June 17. Supplied. Credit: Supplied The stolen Audi spotted on Tankstream Lane at 9.59pm on June 17. Picture Supplied. Credit: Supplied Another eight shots were unleashed toward Hamze, with CCTV showing him appear to jump back before falling to the ground and rolling towards the kerb. The woman ran out and found Hamze 'face down' on the pavement. 'There's blood': Gangster's final moments The sex worker cried as her statement was read out in court, detailing how she called an ambulance but had to hang up because she was 'screaming and couldn't talk'. 'I could hear Bill making noises like grunting … I kept saying make noise, make noise. I didn't know what to do,' her statement said. Bilal Hamze in the lift of his residence, on his way to meet the sex worker for dinner on June 17. Supplied. Credit: Supplied The gangster lay on the street with blood coming out of his mouth as a bystander who had rushed over to help told an ambulance operator how a car 'came past and shot a man'. 'He's groaning … Yes, there's blood … from his mouth,' the bystander said during a recording of the call played in court. 'We don't know where the wound is.' Someone could be heard yelling 'he's not breathing' in the background. Footage of murder nearly puts juror to sleep Samuel John Rokomaqisa, who allegedly had links to the Alameddine family, is standing trial accused of Hamze's murder and allegedly plotting to kill the gangster's younger brother, Ibrahem. Samuel Rokomaqisa is standing trial accused of Bilal's murder and allegedly plotting to kill the gangster's younger brother, Ibrahem. 7News Credit: Supplied As some of Bilal's final moments were played in court, including the loud sound of eight shots going off, suspicions a juror was 'nodding off' prompted Acting Justice Robert Allan Hulme to dismiss the man who he said was not paying attention 'at all' during the footage. Person of interest's 'frantic' calls and texts Defence lawyer Thomas Woods said there would be evidence of the sex worker in contact with an alleged person of interest around the time of the shooting. 'You will hear evidence about her in communication with someone else who was in the near vicinity at the time of these events, someone who on the police assessment was a person of interest,' Mr Woods said in his opening address. 'They described his behaviour as frantic, sending messages, making phone calls, around the time of the killing.' The court was told there were a number of threats on Bilal Hamze's life by June 2021. Supplied. Credit: News Limited Text messages later read in court revealed the sex worker had messaged a friend 'What's doing?' about 10.22pm on June 17. The man replied saying 'not much wbu (what about you)?' around the time the first shots were fired at 10.23pm. He then sent a barrage of texts and calls, messaging her 'You OK???' at 10.26pm, 'I'm gonna go room soon, I feel sick' at 10.31pm, and 'Are you okay?' at 10.36pm. 'From that overview (of messages), there was nothing in your contact with (your friend) that night where you indicated that you were in danger – do you agree or disagree?' Mr Rokomaqisa's lawyer Robert Deppeler asked the woman, who agreed. 'Ibby needs to go': Ibrahem's escape Evidence suggested Ibrahem narrowly escaped a murder plot just months after his brother was gunned down. The words 'Ibby needs to go' were allegedly heard during a conversation between senior members of the Alameddine organised crime network on June 8, 2021, captured by a covert police recording. Evidence suggested Ibrahem Hamze narrowly escaped a plot to kill him in August, 2021. NewsWire. Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Woods said there was no indication his client was involved in this call and it fell outside the timeframe of the conspiracy his client was alleged to be involved in. Prosecutors allege Mr Rokomaqisa was inside a stolen car spotted surveilling Ibrahem's unit a couple of months later on August 14, 2021. They said the car circled the unit before attempting to enter its underground carpark, having 'just missed' Ibrahem, who had left. The stolen car caught the eye of a nearby police officer when it tried to reverse park into a no-stopping zone across the street from Ibrahem's unit, and a police chase ensued when the car ran a red light. It was ultimately called off when it became 'too dangerous', and prosecutors allege Mr Rokomaqisa then used a gun to threaten a man into giving he and another his car after they suffered a flat tyre in the chase. It is alleged Ibrahem Hamze's unit was being surveilled by August, 2021. NewsWire / Christian Gilles Credit: News Corp Australia 'That was me': Alleged crim's bragging Mr Rokomaqisa allegedly told a trial witness 'that was me, that is what we do with the cars' while showing them news footage of Bilal's murder. Mr Rokomaqisa was allegedly heard bragging about how well he'd driven the getaway car, that he was 'paid to be the driver of hits', and that he was linked 'to the shooting and s*it'. Mr Rokomaqisa allegedly told another trial witness he was owed some $270,000 for the crimes, with prosecutors arguing 'unexplained wealth' pointed to his alleged involvement in criminal activities on behalf of the Alameddines. Mr Rokomaqisa has entered not guilty pleas to murder, conspiring to murder and aggravated assault. He has denied any involvement in the crimes and to having any links with the Alameddine family.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Mushroom killer's interview reveals previously unheard details of deadly lunch
The world can now watch mushroom murderer Erin Patterson's repeated lies to police as her estranged husband's relatives were dead and dying in hospital. The 50-year-old convicted triple killer's police interview was publicly released for the first time on Friday comes a month after Patterson was found guilty of murdering three members of her estranged husband's family, and the attempted murder of a fourth, with a toxic beef Wellington lunch. Patterson was interviewed at Wonthaggi police station on August 5, 2023, after her former mother-in-law Gail Patterson, 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital from eating her poisoned cooking. Don Patterson, 70, would die hours after her police interview, while Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson would eventually recover after weeks in hospital. "Donald underwent a transplant last night, and his condition is still extremely critical as of last report," Detective Stephen Eppingstall told Patterson. "OK," she replied, shaking her head and looking down. "Heather and Gail have passed away," Det Eppingstall continued. "In relation to Ian, I don't have a current prognosis in relation to where he's at. As of late yesterday, the diagnosis isn't great for him either. "We're trying to understand what has made them so ill." Patterson replies: "But I'm sure you understand too that, like I've never been in a situation like this before." This is when her lies begin. "And I've been very, very helpful with the health department through the week because I wanted to help that side of things as much as possible, because I do want to know what happened," she said. "So I've given them as much information as they've asked for and offered up all the food and all the information about where the food came from." READ MORE: Why estranged husband didn't go to deadly mushroom meal Patterson claimed she bought dried mushrooms for the Wellington from an Asian store, sending local council and health authorities on a mission to track down toxic products that could be on the shelves, but none were ever found. She then lied to police about her interest in mushroom foraging, as she later admitted in the witness box to enjoying wild mushrooms and that she may have included foraged fungi in the lunch. "Obviously we've got concerns in relation to these mushrooms and where they've come from," Det Eppingstall said. "Is that something you've done in the past, foraging for mushrooms?" Patterson shakes her head and says "never". She denied she had ever preserved or dehydrated food, despite later admitting to having done both. READ MORE: 'My cat chewed on this mushroom': what the mushroom jury didn't hear Patterson had disposed of a Sunbeam food dehydrator, which was later found to contain death cap toxins, at a local tip days earlier on August 2. She then explained why she had invited her estranged husband's family for the July 29, 2023, lunch - because "I've got no other family". "They're the only support I've got left, and they've always been really good to me, and I want to maintain those relationships with them in spite of what's happened with Simon," Patterson said. "I love them a lot." Patterson will return to the Supreme Court on August 25 for a pre-sentence hearing. The world can now watch mushroom murderer Erin Patterson's repeated lies to police as her estranged husband's relatives were dead and dying in hospital. The 50-year-old convicted triple killer's police interview was publicly released for the first time on Friday comes a month after Patterson was found guilty of murdering three members of her estranged husband's family, and the attempted murder of a fourth, with a toxic beef Wellington lunch. Patterson was interviewed at Wonthaggi police station on August 5, 2023, after her former mother-in-law Gail Patterson, 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital from eating her poisoned cooking. Don Patterson, 70, would die hours after her police interview, while Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson would eventually recover after weeks in hospital. "Donald underwent a transplant last night, and his condition is still extremely critical as of last report," Detective Stephen Eppingstall told Patterson. "OK," she replied, shaking her head and looking down. "Heather and Gail have passed away," Det Eppingstall continued. "In relation to Ian, I don't have a current prognosis in relation to where he's at. As of late yesterday, the diagnosis isn't great for him either. "We're trying to understand what has made them so ill." Patterson replies: "But I'm sure you understand too that, like I've never been in a situation like this before." This is when her lies begin. "And I've been very, very helpful with the health department through the week because I wanted to help that side of things as much as possible, because I do want to know what happened," she said. "So I've given them as much information as they've asked for and offered up all the food and all the information about where the food came from." READ MORE: Why estranged husband didn't go to deadly mushroom meal Patterson claimed she bought dried mushrooms for the Wellington from an Asian store, sending local council and health authorities on a mission to track down toxic products that could be on the shelves, but none were ever found. She then lied to police about her interest in mushroom foraging, as she later admitted in the witness box to enjoying wild mushrooms and that she may have included foraged fungi in the lunch. "Obviously we've got concerns in relation to these mushrooms and where they've come from," Det Eppingstall said. "Is that something you've done in the past, foraging for mushrooms?" Patterson shakes her head and says "never". She denied she had ever preserved or dehydrated food, despite later admitting to having done both. READ MORE: 'My cat chewed on this mushroom': what the mushroom jury didn't hear Patterson had disposed of a Sunbeam food dehydrator, which was later found to contain death cap toxins, at a local tip days earlier on August 2. She then explained why she had invited her estranged husband's family for the July 29, 2023, lunch - because "I've got no other family". "They're the only support I've got left, and they've always been really good to me, and I want to maintain those relationships with them in spite of what's happened with Simon," Patterson said. "I love them a lot." Patterson will return to the Supreme Court on August 25 for a pre-sentence hearing. The world can now watch mushroom murderer Erin Patterson's repeated lies to police as her estranged husband's relatives were dead and dying in hospital. The 50-year-old convicted triple killer's police interview was publicly released for the first time on Friday comes a month after Patterson was found guilty of murdering three members of her estranged husband's family, and the attempted murder of a fourth, with a toxic beef Wellington lunch. Patterson was interviewed at Wonthaggi police station on August 5, 2023, after her former mother-in-law Gail Patterson, 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital from eating her poisoned cooking. Don Patterson, 70, would die hours after her police interview, while Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson would eventually recover after weeks in hospital. "Donald underwent a transplant last night, and his condition is still extremely critical as of last report," Detective Stephen Eppingstall told Patterson. "OK," she replied, shaking her head and looking down. "Heather and Gail have passed away," Det Eppingstall continued. "In relation to Ian, I don't have a current prognosis in relation to where he's at. As of late yesterday, the diagnosis isn't great for him either. "We're trying to understand what has made them so ill." Patterson replies: "But I'm sure you understand too that, like I've never been in a situation like this before." This is when her lies begin. "And I've been very, very helpful with the health department through the week because I wanted to help that side of things as much as possible, because I do want to know what happened," she said. "So I've given them as much information as they've asked for and offered up all the food and all the information about where the food came from." READ MORE: Why estranged husband didn't go to deadly mushroom meal Patterson claimed she bought dried mushrooms for the Wellington from an Asian store, sending local council and health authorities on a mission to track down toxic products that could be on the shelves, but none were ever found. She then lied to police about her interest in mushroom foraging, as she later admitted in the witness box to enjoying wild mushrooms and that she may have included foraged fungi in the lunch. "Obviously we've got concerns in relation to these mushrooms and where they've come from," Det Eppingstall said. "Is that something you've done in the past, foraging for mushrooms?" Patterson shakes her head and says "never". She denied she had ever preserved or dehydrated food, despite later admitting to having done both. READ MORE: 'My cat chewed on this mushroom': what the mushroom jury didn't hear Patterson had disposed of a Sunbeam food dehydrator, which was later found to contain death cap toxins, at a local tip days earlier on August 2. She then explained why she had invited her estranged husband's family for the July 29, 2023, lunch - because "I've got no other family". "They're the only support I've got left, and they've always been really good to me, and I want to maintain those relationships with them in spite of what's happened with Simon," Patterson said. "I love them a lot." Patterson will return to the Supreme Court on August 25 for a pre-sentence hearing. The world can now watch mushroom murderer Erin Patterson's repeated lies to police as her estranged husband's relatives were dead and dying in hospital. The 50-year-old convicted triple killer's police interview was publicly released for the first time on Friday comes a month after Patterson was found guilty of murdering three members of her estranged husband's family, and the attempted murder of a fourth, with a toxic beef Wellington lunch. Patterson was interviewed at Wonthaggi police station on August 5, 2023, after her former mother-in-law Gail Patterson, 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital from eating her poisoned cooking. Don Patterson, 70, would die hours after her police interview, while Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson would eventually recover after weeks in hospital. "Donald underwent a transplant last night, and his condition is still extremely critical as of last report," Detective Stephen Eppingstall told Patterson. "OK," she replied, shaking her head and looking down. "Heather and Gail have passed away," Det Eppingstall continued. "In relation to Ian, I don't have a current prognosis in relation to where he's at. As of late yesterday, the diagnosis isn't great for him either. "We're trying to understand what has made them so ill." Patterson replies: "But I'm sure you understand too that, like I've never been in a situation like this before." This is when her lies begin. "And I've been very, very helpful with the health department through the week because I wanted to help that side of things as much as possible, because I do want to know what happened," she said. "So I've given them as much information as they've asked for and offered up all the food and all the information about where the food came from." READ MORE: Why estranged husband didn't go to deadly mushroom meal Patterson claimed she bought dried mushrooms for the Wellington from an Asian store, sending local council and health authorities on a mission to track down toxic products that could be on the shelves, but none were ever found. She then lied to police about her interest in mushroom foraging, as she later admitted in the witness box to enjoying wild mushrooms and that she may have included foraged fungi in the lunch. "Obviously we've got concerns in relation to these mushrooms and where they've come from," Det Eppingstall said. "Is that something you've done in the past, foraging for mushrooms?" Patterson shakes her head and says "never". She denied she had ever preserved or dehydrated food, despite later admitting to having done both. READ MORE: 'My cat chewed on this mushroom': what the mushroom jury didn't hear Patterson had disposed of a Sunbeam food dehydrator, which was later found to contain death cap toxins, at a local tip days earlier on August 2. She then explained why she had invited her estranged husband's family for the July 29, 2023, lunch - because "I've got no other family". "They're the only support I've got left, and they've always been really good to me, and I want to maintain those relationships with them in spite of what's happened with Simon," Patterson said. "I love them a lot." Patterson will return to the Supreme Court on August 25 for a pre-sentence hearing.
