13-05-2025
EXCLUSIVE Erin Patterson trial: What are DEATH CAP mushrooms? The deadly fungi at centre of landmark murder case
On the latest episode of The Mail's The Trial of Erin Patterson podcast, reporters Wayne Flower and Caroline Cheetham analyse the recent testimony of mushroom expert Dr Tom May.
Australian mother-of-three Erin Patterson stands accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned beef Wellington meal.
Not only was Dr May called to the witness stand for his expertise, but also for his relevance to the case, having potentially provided information on an app that inadvertently led to the foraging of the toxic mushrooms that may have been used in the poisoning.
The mycologist told the court that the day before the poisoning, he had posted the location of some rare Death Cap mushrooms he had spotted on a walk not too far from Erin Patterson's home.
He shared the exact geolocation of the mushrooms on iNaturalist, an app used by a community of professional botanists and hobbyists to discuss and debate discoveries they have made in the natural world.
WATCH: The Trial of Erin Patterson podcast
The prosecution claims that Patterson's phone was tracked to the same area Dr May had flagged on the app, the morning of the toxic lunch that left three people dead.
However, under cross-examination by Patterson's lawyer, Dr May said that even for experienced foragers, Death Caps are hard to identify and store.
This casts doubt over whether Patterson would have been able to collect the mushrooms using the limited information the app provided.
Dr May also said that it was possible the mushrooms could have been used as an ingredient by mistake.
The trial continues. Erin Patterson has denied the charges against her.
What are Death Cap Mushrooms?
Amanita phalloides, known by their common name, Death Cap mushrooms, are one of the most dangerous fungi on Earth.
They account for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings globally. The fungi were native to Europe but have since spread across the world due to globalisation.
The mushrooms are difficult to identify, often being mistaken by foragers for different species.
They can sometimes be spotted through their distinctive yellowish green colour, although this varies from mushroom to mushroom.
What makes Death Caps so deadly are amatoxins, which work to disrupt the normal functioning of cells.
Symptoms of poisoning at first include vomiting and diarrhoea, progressing slowly to liver and kidney failure.
Without medical intervention, death usually occurs within a week of consumption. Treatment for poisoning focuses on supporting the liver with fluids and drugs.
A feature of Death Caps is that the poison within them is heat resistant. This means that, even when cooked, they are still as deadly.
Listen to the full breakdown of Dr Tom May's testimony on the latest episode of The Trial of Erin Patterson, available now, wherever you get your podcasts.
