Latest news with #Amanitaphalloides
1News
3 days ago
- 1News
'You knew they were death caps': Prosecution grills Erin Patterson
The prosecution has launched a blistering cross-examination of Erin Patterson, accusing her of knowingly preparing deadly death cap mushrooms for a lunch that left three people dead and a fourth critically ill. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one attempted murder charge over a poisonous beef Wellington lunch she made for her former husband's family in July 2023. The 50-year-old has spent days giving evidence in her own defence. But, on Thursday, the tone in the courtroom shifted dramatically as prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC began questioning Patterson over what she knew, what she did, and what she lied about. 'You were keen to get rid of the evidence, correct?' Patterson admitted earlier in the week that she threw out her food dehydrator days after the fatal lunch and factory reset her phone to delete photos of mushrooms and the machine itself. ADVERTISEMENT 'I panicked and didn't want [the detectives] to see them,' she told the court. 'It was a stupid kneejerk reaction… I was just scared. But I shouldn't have done it.' Erin Patterson (Source: Nine) But the prosecution argued that her actions were not about fear — they were about concealment. 'You knew that they were death cap mushrooms that you'd been dehydrating, correct?' Rogers asked. 'No, I didn't know that,' Patterson replied. 'You were very keen to dispose of any evidence that might connect you with the possession of death cap mushrooms?' ADVERTISEMENT 'No, I didn't,' she said again. Photos, scales, and a possible 'fatal dose' The court was then shown photos found on Patterson's phone — images of mushrooms sitting on a dehydrator tray, balanced on kitchen scales. Rogers said expert evidence from mycologist Dr Thomas May suggested the mushrooms were consistent with Amanita phalloides — the toxic species commonly known as death caps. 'I suggest you were weighing these mushrooms so you could calculate the weight required for... a fatal dose,' Rogers said. 'I disagree,' Patterson replied. She also rejected the claim that she had foraged those mushrooms after seeing a post online showing where they were growing, saying simply: 'That's not correct.' ADVERTISEMENT Cancer lie under new scrutiny The prosecution also turned its focus to Patterson's admitted lie about having cancer — a claim she made during the lunch to explain an upcoming medical procedure. Earlier this week, Patterson said the lie was a cover for planned gastric bypass surgery and that she had felt ashamed. Now, the court has been shown images and internet searches related to ovarian and brain cancer, allegedly accessed in May 2023. "I suggest this information from the internet would allow you to tell a more convincing lie," Rogers said. "That's theoretically true, but it's not what I did," Patterson replied. She said she had previously feared she might have cancer in late 2021 or early 2022, but not in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT Religious tension, emojis and messages Patterson was also questioned over Facebook messages that the prosecution claimed mocked her in-laws'religious advice, particularly her use of emojis such as 🙄 and 😐 when referring to prayer. Patterson denied mocking Don and Gail Patterson, saying she was "frustrated" and didn't even know how to describe the emoji she used. Don and Gail Patterson. (Source: Supplied) "All I can say is it's a face with a straight line for a mouth." Rogers suggested the tone of her messages combined with her claim she was an atheist in a religious household reflected deeper resentment. Patterson denied making those posts publicly. Trial timeline extended ADVERTISEMENT Justice Christopher Beale told jurors on Thursday the trial was now likely to stretch into late June. Erin Patterson was expected to remain on the stand into next week, with court sitting Tuesday to Friday due to the King's Birthday public holiday in Australia. Once her testimony concluded, legal discussions would take place behind closed doors before closing arguments and final jury directions began. "Take all the time you need," Justice Beale told the jury. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and continued to maintain her innocence.
Metro
5 days ago
- Metro
Toxic beef wellington chef tells trial exotic mushrooms 'have more flavour'
An Australian mum who is accused of poisoning her family with toxic mushrooms told a courtroom, 'exotic mushrooms have more flavour'. Erin Patterson is facing three murder charges after her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, died in July 2023 after eating a beef wellington she had made. Her murder trial is ongoing in Morwell, Victoria, an hour north of her hometown of Leongatha, where the deaths occurred. In the trial today, she said she was drawn to 'exotic mushrooms' while foraging, because they 'just taste more interesting, have more flavour.' The amateur chef added that she often 'experimented' with mushrooms she foraged, before cooking them with butter. 'They tasted good and I didn't get sick,' she said. She also shared her long-standing affection for mushrooms, and previously said she would sprinkle dried mushrooms in recipes for her children. Patterson began foraging for the fungi in 2020 during lockdown, and said she often took her children on walks: 'There were lots of [wild mushrooms] at the gardens,' she said. 'They taste good and they're very healthy. I'd buy all the different types that Woolies [supermarket Woolworths] would sell.' The trial is expected to last six weeks in Morwell, and will delve into Patterson's past, as well as the day of the murders. Don, Gail and Heather's symptoms were described as being consistent with poisoning by death cap mushrooms. It is a dull green fungus known as Amanita phalloides and can lead to serious organ failure within 24 to 48 hours. Erin's ex-husband, Simon Patterson, was meant to have attended the meal, but he cancelled last minute, saying he felt 'too uncomfortable' about the gathering. Ian Wilkinson, Heather's partner, was the only survivor. A woman who met Erin through a true crime forum on Facebook has said the accused killer was a 'bit of a super sleuth.' More Trending Christine Hunt told the court today how the pair met around six years ago through a group formed to discuss the trial of Keli Lane, which first had about 2,000 members. Some of Patterson's Facebook posts to the group were shown in court, including photos of a dehydrator that she had bought. 'I've been hiding powdered mushrooms in everything. Mixed it into chocolate brownies yesterday, the kids had no idea' Patterson said in one message to the group, The Guardian reported. Daniela Barkley, one of the members of the group who also gave evidence in the hearing this morning, said soon afterwards Patterson asked if anyone had cooked beef wellington, and if they had advice for the dish. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Madeleine McCann police using radars to 'scour' trenches in fresh search after 'tip-off' MORE: Gang leaders to face jail for forcing children to hide drugs inside themselves MORE: Teens who killed pensioner with fireworks and ran off laughing are jailed
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Nature's silent assassin: The deadly mushroom at the heart of Australia's most shocking murder trial
It's a case that's got all of Australia and a fair bit of the world completely hooked. Erin Patterson, a woman from the quiet town of Leongatha in Victoria, is at the center of a chilling trial. Why? She's accused of serving a homemade lunch that killed three of her relatives and nearly claimed a fourth. Here's how it all went down. In July 2023, Erin hosted a casual lunch at her place. The guests were her in-laws and her aunt and uncle. On the menu? A homemade beef Wellington, which Erin said was made using mushrooms she bought from an Asian grocery store. Sounds innocent enough, right? But things took a dark turn. The mushrooms in that dish weren't your typical supermarket variety. They turned out to be Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms—among the most poisonous fungi on Earth. Eating even a tiny amount can be fatal. The day after the meal, all four guests started showing serious symptoms—nausea, vomiting, and severe stomach issues. Things quickly escalated. Within days, Don and Gail Patterson (both 70) and Heather Wilkinson (66) tragically died from liver and organ failure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo The fourth guest, Ian Wilkinson, who is Heather's husband and a 71-year-old pastor, just barely survived. He needed a liver transplant and spent over seven weeks in intensive care before finally being discharged in September 2023. For those who don't know, death cap mushrooms contain a toxin called amatoxin. It's brutal, it attacks your liver and kidneys, and symptoms often don't show up until 6 to 12 hours later. By the time you realize what's happening, it can be too late. It's a slow and vicious poison, and without quick medical help, the outlook is grim. Unsurprisingly, this case has made headlines everywhere. The story has all the makings of a true-crime drama—deadly food, close family ties, a mysterious motive, and now, a courtroom showdown. The charges So, what exactly is Erin Patterson being accused of? She's currently facing three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors say this wasn't some freak accident—they believe Erin planned the whole thing. Here's what they're pointing to: Fake cancer claim: Erin allegedly told her in-laws she had cancer, possibly to guilt them into coming over for lunch. Selective eating: While everyone else ate the beef Wellington, Erin didn't. She also made sure her own kids weren't served any leftovers. Suspicious cleanup: After the guests got sick, Erin reportedly got rid of a dehydrator that had remnants of the toxic mushrooms. Investigators say she also lied about where the mushrooms came from. As of May 2025, Erin is on trial in the Victorian Supreme Court, and the case is still unfolding. There's a lot the public still doesn't know, but people are watching closely. The big question on everyone's mind is: was this just a tragic mistake… or something far more sinister? Meet Amanita Phalloides: The death cap mushroom that's anything but edible If you've ever thought mushrooms were just cute little toppings for pizza or a trendy meat substitute, here's their dark side: Amanita phalloides, better known as the death cap mushroom. It sounds dramatic, and honestly, it should because this innocent-looking fungus has been responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. Yes, really. The death cap is basically nature's biggest prank. It looks harmless, kind of like a regular mushroom you'd toss into a stir-fry. It has a pale, yellow-greenish cap, white gills, and a thick white stem. You wouldn't blink twice if you saw it growing under an oak tree. But this is no portobello. Just half a cap can kill an adult human. No joke. This toxic mushroom is originally native to Europe, but it's now found in North America, Australia, and parts of Asia. It usually pops up in summer and early autumn, and it often grows near oak, chestnut, or pine trees. Basically, it's sneaky and widespread. What makes Amanita phalloides so deadly? The short answer: a group of nasty toxins called amatoxins. These little devils are tough, heat doesn't kill them, and neither does drying. So even if you sauté a death cap in butter, it'll still be lethal. Once ingested, amatoxins head straight for your liver and kidneys, shutting down essential cellular functions. The terrifying part? Symptoms don't show up right away. People who eat death caps often feel fine for the first 6 to 12 hours. Then, crippling stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration hit like a truck. By then, the liver is often beyond saving. Without early treatment death caps can be fatal within days. And even with treatment, recovery isn't guaranteed. One of the most chilling things about the death cap is how easily it can be mistaken for edible mushrooms. People out foraging in the wild often confuse it with puffballs or Asian straw mushrooms. It doesn't help that it has no tell-tale toxic smell or color—it's just... mushroomy.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mushrooms are at the center of a major Australian murder case
A woman is on trial in Australia for hosting a lunch in 2023 that left three people dead. Erin Patterson has been charged with three counts of murder and is accused of purposely serving a beef Wellington made with poisonous death cap mushrooms, according to The Washington Post. Patterson has pleaded not guilty and her legal team has described the deadly meal as 'a terrible accident,' per The Washington Post. Death cap mushrooms are another name for poisonous Amanita phalloides mushrooms. The toxins of death cap mushrooms target the liver and kidneys, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control. If you ingest the mushrooms, initial symptoms such as nausea and vomiting appear six to twelve hours after ingestion. Your health deceptively appears to improve after those symptoms, but that's when your vital organs are actually being targeted by the toxins, the article said. You'll become 'very ill, experiencing jaundice and seizures, followed by coma, and sometimes culminating in death' several days later, per the BCCDC. The mortality rate following consumption and 'prompt hospital treatment' is 10% to 30%. Cooking does not destroy the mushroom's toxins. On July 29, 2023, Patterson prepared beef Wellington for a lunch. Her guests were all relatives of her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, The Washington Post reported. In the days after the lunch, Simon Patterson's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, died, as did Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson. Wilkinson's husband, Ian Wilkinson, who was also a guest, spent weeks recovering in the hospital and ultimately survived, according to the Post. Erin Patterson also invited her estranged husband to the meal, but he declined to attend. Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson all died of 'altered liver function and multiple organ failure due to Amanita mushroom poisoning,' NPR reported. In August 2023, Erin Patterson said she was 'devastated' that the mushrooms caused the deaths of her 'loved ones,' per a statement shared with Australia's ABC. 'I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones. I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved,' she said. In addition to alleging that she intentionally poisoned her guests, prosecutors have accused Erin Patterson of making up a cancer diagnosis, which she used as the pretense for the lunch, of visiting locations known to have death cap mushrooms beforehand and of getting rid of the food processor she used, according to The Washington Post. She is also accused of not eating the same beef Wellington as her guests and covering up the poisoning by 'pretending to suffer similar symptoms' as her guests, per NPR. Patterson's legal team has said her questioned actions stemmed from panic. 'She was overwhelmed by the fact that these four people had become so ill because of the food she'd served to them,' defense barrister Colin Mandy said during opening arguments, per The Washington Post. The trial in Australia has wrapped up its fourth week and is expected to conclude in June. This is not the first time someone has died after consuming death cap mushrooms. In 2013, a 57-year-old woman in England died after using the mushrooms in a soup she had prepared, as the BBC reported. The woman's husband also ate the soup and was hospitalized but survived. In December 2016, 14 people, including an 18-month-old child, across five California counties were hospitalized as a result of consuming death caps, according to The Weather Channel. Three of the 14 died, and the child 'developed cerebral edema and suffered permanent neurologic sequelae.' At least three of the individuals needed a liver transplant. A more recent case in California happened on December 31 in the town of Salinas. Three individuals were hospitalized after eating the mushrooms that they had purchased from a vendor on the side of the road, KSBW Action News reported.
Metro
05-05-2025
- Metro
‘Mushroom killer' was 'a bit of a super sleuth' online
A witness in Erin Patterson's murder trial has described the accused killer as a true crime enthusiast. Erin Patterson faces three murder charges after her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, died in the hospital in July 2023. The mum is also accused of attempting to murder Heather's husband Ian, who was the only survivor of the meal allegedly prepared by Erin. They are thought to have eaten poisonous mushrooms after enjoying a beef wellington dish cooked by Patterson at her home in Leongatha, Victoria. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Erin's ex-husband Simon Patterson was meant to have attended the meal, but he cancelled last minute, saying he felt 'too uncomfortable' about the gathering. Now, a woman who met Erin through a true crime forum on Facebook has said the accused killer was a 'bit of a super sleuth.' Christine Hunt told the court today how the pair met around six years ago through a group formed to discuss the trial of Keli Lane, which first had about 2,000 members The group was later reduced to around 30 people following 'disagreement and disharmony,' Christine said. Erin's usernames included her full name, 'Erin Erin' and later 'Erin Erin Erin' The group chatted about current affairs, royalty, politics – and more intimate topics like their families while Erin also opened up about being a single mum, DailyMail Australia reports. Christine said: 'She was well-regarded,' Ms Hunt said of Patterson. 'She was a really good researcher. She was a bit of a super sleuth. 'Patterson shared lots about the kids, Lego, buying the house at Leongatha. More Trending 'Information about herself, her husband, the challenges she was facing, the difficulties she had as a single mum.' She felt her relationship with Erin was always 'good' and there weren't 'any problems with her at that time,' Christine added. Don, Gail and Heather's symptoms were described as being consistent with poisoning by death cap mushrooms. It is a dull green fungus known as Amanita phalloides and can lead to serious organ failure within 24 to 48 hours. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
