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Erin Patterson: RecipeTin Eats cook Nagi Maehashi breaks silence on mushroom murders

Erin Patterson: RecipeTin Eats cook Nagi Maehashi breaks silence on mushroom murders

West Australian09-07-2025
Nagi Maehashi has spoken out about the Erin Patterson murder trial for the first time after the triple murderer altered one of the RecipeTin Eats author's recipes to create a deadly beef Wellington meal.
Patterson, 50, was found guilty of murdering three family members and attempting to kill a fourth by serving the dish laced with death cap mushrooms.
The convicted killer had sourced the recipe from Maehashi's cookbook Dinner, which ended up being used as evidence during the 11-week trial that gripped the nation.
Following the verdict on Monday, the beloved cookbook author took to social media to express her sadness to have been 'entangled in the tragic situation'.
'It is of course upsetting to learn that one of my recipes – perhaps the one I've spent more hours perfecting than any other – something that I created to bring joy and happiness, is entangled in this tragic situation,' Maehashi wrote on social media, alongside a mushroom emoji.
She added that she had 'nothing to say' beyond the post and asked that media stop reaching out to her for comment.
'Other than that, I have nothing to say and I won't be talking to anyone. Thank you for respecting my privacy.'
When police searched Patterson's house on August 5, 2023, they found a copy of the popular cookbook with the recipe for the beef Wellington 'spattered' with evidence that it had been followed.
The prosecution argued that Patterson modified the recipe to prepare individual servings that excluded herself, ensuring she would not accidentally consume the poisonous meal.
Patterson confirmed in court that she followed the recipe but made a few changes.
After a week of deliberations, the jury unanimously found Patterson guilty of murdering her ex husband's parents Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson.
Patterson was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson.
It is expected that Patterson will challenge the verdict. She will have 28 days to lodge an appeal after she receives her sentencing.
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