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West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Erin Patterson: Mushroom murder trial jury shown accused woman's police interview a week after fatal lunch
Alleged poisoner Erin Patterson's police interview following the deaths of two of her in-laws has been played publicly for the first time at her trial in the regional Victorian town of Morwell. The mother-of-two has pleaded not guilty to the murder of three of her husband's relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth. Prosecutors allege she deliberately laced a beef wellington lunch with death cap mushrooms, while her defence argues Ms Patterson did not intend to poison anyone. Instead, they argue, the case is a tragic accident. Her husband Simon Patterson's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson died from organ failure in the week following the lunch on July 29. 2023. Heather died on August 4 and 2.50am, Gail died later the same day at 5.55pm and Don died the following day at 11.30pm. Heather's husband, long-serving Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, also fell ill but recovered after a long stint in hospital. This week, in the fifth week of the trial, Ms Patterson's police interview exactly a week after the lunch was played to the jury set to decide the facts of the case. Prosecutor Jane Warren told the court it lasts for 'just under' 21 minutes. Earlier in the trial, the jury was told Ms Patterson was not kept in the loop following the mushroom poisoning and was first informed of Heather and Gail's deaths as police executed a search warrant at her home about 11.40am on August 5. The interview recording, filmed at the Wonthaggi Police Station later the same afternoon, captures Ms Patterson sat across from two homicide squad detectives; Detective leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall and Detective Senior Constable David Martin-Alcaide. Wearing a brown jumper, she sat slightly hunched over the table with the camera capturing the right-hand side of her face. The recording starts with Constable Eppingstall confirming the time as 4.41pm, Ms Patterson's full name and street address. 'All right. Erin, I intend to interview you today in relation to the death of two people, being Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson,' he says. 'Before continuing I must inform you that you do not have to say or do anything but anything you say or do is being recorded and may be used in evidence in court.' 'Okay,' Ms Patterson responds. Constable Eppingstall takes Ms Patterson for her rights, including to speak with a lawyer at any time, before she confirms she does not wish to exercise any of those rights. He tells her both Heather and Gail died a day earlier, while Don had undergone a liver transplant but was 'extremely critical' and the prognosis 'wasn't great' for Ian. 'We're trying to understand what has made them so ill,' Constable Eppingstall says. 'Conversely, we're trying to understand why you're not that ill.' Ms Patterson responds confirming she understands why she is being interviewed, before beginning to explain she's 'never been in a situation like this before'. 'I've been very, very helpful with the health department through the week because I wanted to help that side of things… because I do want to know what happened,' she says. '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.' Detective Eppingstall then points out for the record that Ms Patterson had been 'very helpful' with police at her home earlier that day, pointing out leftovers and the recipe book she used. He mentions that he did not see a lot of food from Asian or Indian grocers at her home. 'Did you look in my fridge? I've got a lot of Asian cooking stuff in my fridge,' she replies. The detective then follows up by asking if Ms Patterson has 'more of that kind of stuff' at her second home in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley. But she tells him no, she cleaned out the pantry and fridge there because she's 'got to sell that place'. Ms Patterson tells the officer she's thinking of selling it to buy a home on Phillip Island where her children are now going to school. Constable Eppingstall shifts the topic of conversation to the mushrooms used to prepare the beef wellington lunch. 'Obviously, we've got concerns in relation to these mushrooms and where they've come from,' he says. The officer asks if Ms Patterson has ever foraged for mushrooms, which she denies, before asking if she had ever preserved foods. 'No,' she replies. 'Have you ever dehydrated food or anything?' he asks. 'No.' Constable Eppinstall then questions Ms Patterson about why she had her estranged husband's parents and aunt and uncle over for lunch. 'Because I've got no other family, so they're the only support I've got… and I want to maintain those relationships with them in spite of what's happened with Simon,' she said. Ms Patterson tells the officers Don and Gail had always been good to her and had promised to continue supporting her after her separation. 'They're the only grandparents that my children have and I want them to stay in my kids' life,' she said. 'And I think Simon hated that I still had a relationship with his parents but I love them.' Questioning moves to Ms Patterson's visit to the local Leongatha Hospital two days after the lunch on July 31 and Constable Eppingstall asks why she left after 5 minutes. 'I just went there thinking I needed a couple of bags of saline 'cause I was really dehydrated,' she responds. 'And they said; 'We want to admit you and send you to Melbourne'.' Ms Patterson said she 'can't just be told to drop everything' and needed to go home to feed her animals and pack her daughter's ballet bag. She tells the officers she later returned where a doctor and apologised for the delay and told her; 'we've got a couple of critical patients'. 'I said, 'That's fine, don't worry about me, I'm just a gastro case'… And he said, 'Oh, what's your name?' and I said, 'Erin,' and he said, 'Oh, we've been expecting you',' Ms Patterson said. She said she was informed her lunch guests were ill and she needed to be taken to Melbourne because it was suspected they had death cap mushroom poisoning. Ms Patterson said she was taken in an ambulance and remained in hospital until the afternoon of August 2. The topic shifts again to Constable Eppingstall promising to give her a list of everything police had seized from her Leongatha home earlier the same day. He raises the find of a Sunbeam dehydrator instruction manual in a kitchen draw, asking if she owned a dehydrator. 'No,' she said. 'I've got manuals for lots of stuff I've collected over the years. I've had all sorts of appliances and I just keep them all. ' I might've had one years ago.' When Constable Eppingstall asks what she would have used a dehydrator for, Ms Patterson starts talking about her Thermomix appliance. 'Like, when I first got the Thermomix I got really excited about, scratch and I did a lot of, you know, like, everything from scratch ingredients,' she says. 'I could've had something like that though.' The officer then continues to list through the items taken from her home, including the Recipetin Eats cookbook, fruit patter, jug of gravy, computers, tablets and phones. Later he shifts the conversation to the leftovers of the beef Wellington lunch, acknowledging Ms Patterson was helpful when police attended her home on July 31 to obtain it. 'What are those leftovers that you directed them to?' Constable Eppingstall questioned. 'That was the uneaten food from the lunch,' Ms Patterson responded. 'It went straight in the bin. And so when I went to the hospital and they said they were concerned that everyone ate some contaminated food I said, 'Well, there's the leftovers in the bin. You can have it'.' Ms Patterson tells the two detectives she initially said 'I'll go and get it' but was told she needed to stay in hospital and instead gave police permission to enter her property. 'So they did that and a bag of food appeared a bit later.' Ms Patterson is then asked if she had any questions, responding 'no', before Constable Eppingstall confirms the time is 5.30pm and suspends the interview. After the video concluded, Justice Christopher Beale informed jurors some irrelevant material had been edited out. 'All right, so ladies and gentlemen, you will notice that it had jumped from time to time. Irrelevant material has been edited out,' he said. The trial continues.
Style Blueprint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
Meet Memphis Artist Heather Howle
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Our newest FACE of Memphis got her first taste of creating art as a child. Though she grew up mainly in Memphis, Heather Howle's family spent a few years in Anchorage, AK, for her father's job as a FedEx pilot. Heather clearly remembers making papier mâché at an art camp there — and feeling drawn in by the texture and hands-on nature of the medium. That early fascination with materials carried into her later work in collage and mixed media. Please welcome our newest FACE of Memphis, Heather Howle. Pin How did your career path lead you to becoming a full-time artist? I got a degree in commercial aviation at the University of Memphis, and all my flight ratings at a flight school in Olive Branch. I then flew commercial and private, and was employed by Southern Airways Express and SkyWest for a few years. After being both a pilot and an artist for several years, I found my true passion was always art, and I eventually decided to pursue it full-time. It was a gradual decision; I hated being away from home and wanted a family. What has been your biggest challenge in pursuing art as a career? Financially, it's always a bit of a struggle. But the rewards are worth the risk! Pin What do you love most about being a visual artist? I love mixing colors; I find color theory so fascinating. There is always more room to grow and 'flex' your skills. Art reflects what you learn from life, and you never stop learning from life. Where do you draw your inspiration? International travel! The places I have found the most inspiring are Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Istanbul, Marrakech, and Mexico City. Pin If you had to describe your artistic 'brand,' what three words would you choose? Dark. Lavender. Butterflies. Tell us some of the amazing places we can find your art. Collected by Elizabeth Malmo in Laurelwood, online at Well & Wonder, or through my Instagram page @heatherhowleart. Pin Where can we find you when you aren't working? At a coffee shop with my son, Louie. What's your best piece of advice? Just scratch the surface. This metaphor speaks to the idea that artistic depth comes with time and sustained engagement. An artist who returns to the same theme repeatedly often uncovers new insights or emotional layers they hadn't accessed before. That's when the work begins to resonate on a more profound level — not only for the artist but for the audience, who can sense the complexity and authenticity beneath the surface. Aside from faith, friends, and family, what are three things you can't live without? My phone, my bed, and good art supplies. Pin ********** For more stories of inspiring Southern women, click HERE! About the Author Gaye Swan A freelance writer, mom of twins, avid traveler, and local foodie, Gaye loves meeting new people and bringing their stories to life.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh optometry practice goes behind the scenes on TV drama Department Q
Heather Muir, a contact lens technician at independent practice, Cameron Optometry in Edinburgh, has played a behind-the-scenes role in the upcoming television series Department Q, filmed on location in and around the Scottish capital. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A seasoned expert in contact lens handling, Heather was brought on to support the production team with specialist contact lens handling on set, ensuring safety, comfort, and visual accuracy for the actors. Heather worked primarily with actor Steven Miller throughout the shoot and also spent a day assisting Kai Alexander with lens handling. She collaborated closely with renowned makeup designer Lizzi Lawson-Zeiss, whose credits include Napoleon and Blade Runner, alongside a team of skilled makeup artists, to integrate eye care seamlessly into the filming process. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The contact lenses used in the production were supplied by Cantor Barnard, a Northamptonshire-based company with over 60 years of experience in the film industry. This collaboration ensured the lenses were precisely tailored to the characters' needs and the show's visual style. Contact Lens Test on the set of Dept Q. Directed by Scott Frank, Department Q is based on the internationally best-selling series of novels and is set to premiere later this year. The series has already generated significant buzz in the UK and internationally for its gripping storylines and cinematic style. Heather commented on her experience while on set, saying: 'It was an incredible experience to collaborate with such a talented production team. 'Blending medical expertise with the creative world of television was a unique opportunity, and it was a memorable experience to be on location with the production team.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cameron Optometry, an independent practice located in the heart of Edinburgh, is widely respected for its advanced clinical services and specialist expertise in contact lens handling and eye health. Department Q will be available to watch on Netflix from the 29th May. To find out more about Cameron Optometry, please visit
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh woman's 'incredible' time on Netflix set to offer her unique expertise
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh womans unique experience led her to the set of the newly-released Netflix series Department Q. Heather Muir, a contact lens technician at independent practice in the capital, played a behind-the-scenes role in the show - which was filmed in and around Edinburgh. A 'seasoned expert' in handling contact lenses, Heather was brought on for specalist support. She worked closely with actors and makeup artists for the series, with hit Netflix on Thursday, April 29. The thriller show follows a former top detective who takes on a cold- case, transforming an Edinburgh basement into a 'well-oiled machine' filled with misfit officers. Heather commented on her experience while on set, saying: "It was an incredible experience to collaborate with such a talented production team. "Blending medical expertise with the creative world of television was a unique opportunity, and it was a memorable experience to be on location with the production team." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Heather works with Cameron Optometry, and also worked on Guillermo Del Toro's latest blockbuster which was filmed in Edinburgh. Department Q features plenty of familiar faces from shows such as Downton Abbey, Shetland and Call the Midwife. You'll spot the likes of Matthew Goode, Kelly MacDonald, Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne and Jamie Sives. Filming for the series took place in early 2024, with cast and crew descending on spots around the city including housing estates in Wester Hailes, City Chambers, and The Signet Library. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Leah Byrne, who plays Rose, spoke exclusively to Reach about her experience on set with fellow actor Alexej Manvelov, who plays Akram. Speaking about the abundance of Scottish talent on the show, she said: "It was so cool, such a joy for me. I'm from Glasgow so I just had to nip down the road and we were filming this amazing show. "But it's so authentically Scottish as well. It doesn't feel like it's trying to be something it's not. It doesn't have to try hard and it's just in its blood."
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Heather Knight ruled out of England's summer with hamstring injury
Knight top-scored as England completed a T20 series clean sweep against the West Indies on Monday, but her unbeaten 66 from 47 balls came at a cost as she was unable to field due to injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday she had sustained a 'significant tendon injury' in her right hamstring, meaning she will miss the three one-day games against the West Indies and the upcoming series against India. Knight top-scored during England's clash with the West Indies (Steven Paston/PA) Knight will also be absent for the London Spirit's title defence in this season's Hundred. However, the ECB is hopeful the former England captain will be available for this year's World Cup in India which is scheduled to start in September. A statement from the ECB said: 'An MRI scan has revealed that Heather Knight has suffered a significant tendon injury to her right hamstring and will be ruled out of home international cricket and the Hundred in 2025. We're with you all the way Heather 💔 Read more 👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2025 'She will now undergo further assessment with the England women's medical team to determine the next steps of her management. 'Although no return date can be set at this stage, it is hoped Heather will be available for selection for the ICC Women's World Cup in September 2025.' Knight, who was replaced as captain by new head coach Charlotte Edwards, shone in both of her visits to the crease in the T20 series success against the West Indies, scoring 109 runs without losing a wicket.
