Latest news with #poison
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Irish Times
Australian accused in mushroom murders trial disputes accounts of fatal lunch
An Australian woman accused of the murder of three elderly relatives of her estranged husband by feeding them poisonous mushrooms has disputed accounts of the fatal lunch given by other witnesses, a court heard. Erin Patterson (50), is charged with the July 2023 murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. The prosecution accuses her of knowingly serving the guests death cap mushrooms as part of a Beef Wellington at her home in Leongatha, a town of about 6,000 people some 135km from Melbourne. She denies the charges, which carry a life sentence, with her defence calling the deaths a 'terrible accident'. READ MORE On Ms Patterson's third day of cross-examination, prosecution lawyer Nanette Rogers asked whether she had lied about serving herself on a plate of a different colour from those of her guests, which the prosecution says she did to avoid the poison. 'I suggest that this description that you gave to the jury of the plates you used at the lunch is a lie. Correct or incorrect?' Ms Rogers said. 'Incorrect,' the accused replied. In his evidence, Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving guest from the lunch, whose recovery took months in hospital, had said Ms Patterson served herself on a plate of a different colour. Ms Patterson's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, previously testified that Heather Wilkinson had remarked on the different coloured plates before she died. Erin Patterson also disputed an account by her son, who said in his evidence he had not seen her repeatedly visit the bathroom as a result of also becoming sick after the meal. The defence's decision to call Erin Patterson as a witness has re-ignited interest in the trial that began in late April. Media have descended on the town of Morwell where the trial is being held, about two hours east of Melbourne. State broadcaster ABC's daily podcast on the trial is currently Australia's most popular, while many domestic newspapers have run live blogs. Ms Patterson is currently in her sixth day of giving evidence and her third day of cross-examination by Ms Rogers. The prosecution rested its case on June 2nd after a month of evidence from relatives and medical, forensic and mushroom experts. The trial, expected to conclude this month, continues. (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025
Globe and Mail
16 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Australian accused in mushroom murders disputes accounts of fatal lunch
An Australian woman accused of the murder of three elderly relatives of her estranged husband by feeding them poisonous mushrooms disputed on Tuesday accounts of the fatal lunch given by other witnesses, a court heard. Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the July 2023 murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. The prosecution accuses her of knowingly serving the guests the death caps as part of a Beef Wellington at her home in Leongatha, a town of about 6,000 people some 135 km (84 miles) from Melbourne. She denies the charges, which carry a life sentence, with her defence calling the deaths a 'terrible accident'. On Patterson's third day of cross-examination, prosecution lawyer Nanette Rogers asked whether she had lied about serving herself on a plate of a different colour from those of her guests, which the prosecution says she did to avoid the poison. 'I suggest that this description that you gave to the jury of the plates you used at the lunch is a lie. Correct or incorrect?' Rogers said. 'Incorrect,' the accused replied. The cook, the killer mushrooms and the deadly mystery gripping Australia In his evidence, Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving guest from the lunch, whose recovery took months in hospital, had said Patterson served herself on a plate of a different colour. Patterson's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, previously testified that Heather Wilkinson had remarked on the different coloured plates before she died. Erin Patterson also disputed an account by her son, who said in his evidence he had not seen her repeatedly visit the bathroom as a result of also becoming sick after the meal. The defence's decision to call Erin Patterson as a witness has re-ignited interest in the trial that began in late April. Media have descended on the town of Morwell where the trial is being held, about two hours east of Melbourne. State broadcaster ABC's daily podcast on the trial is currently Australia's most popular, while many domestic newspapers have run live blogs. Patterson is currently in her sixth day of giving evidence and her third day of cross-examination by Rogers. The prosecution rested its case on June 2 after a month of evidence from relatives and medical, forensic and mushroom experts. The trial, expected to conclude this month, continues.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Warning after 45 deaths from mystery substance bought online - and at least 40 more have purchased it
A senior coroner has issued a warning following the deaths of 45 people who bought a poisonous substance online. Timothy Brennand said a further 40 people were known to have purchased the chemical 'with a view to having the means to use this method to end their life in circumstances' - and warned online forums were promoting its use. In a series of Prevention of Future Deaths reports concerning a 'cluster' of eight deaths in his region, the Manchester West coroner did not identify the poison except to say it is a food preservative which can be used in meat curing. But he also warned it was also a 'reportable poison as well as a reportable explosives precursor'. The deaths Mr Brennand investigated included that of Kelly Walsh, a 45-year-old businesswoman who was the girlfriend of ex-footballer Andy Woodward, the first victim to waive his anonymity to publicly accuse the late paedophile football coach Barry Bennell of child sexual abuse. Bolton Coroner' Court heard Ms Walsh died after taking a poisonous substance bought online at her home in Atherton, Greater Manchester, in February 2021. The other deaths investigated by the coroner were of Matthew O'Reilly, 18, who died at his student accommodation in Salford in September 2020, Samuel Dickinson, 33, Matthew Price, 37, from Bolton, Chantelle Williams, who died in May 2020 in Salford, Shaun Bass, 23, from Bolton, Andrew Brown, 45, from Wigan and William Armstrong, 24, from Horwich, Bolton. Mr Armstrong died at a local hotel after sourcing the unnamed chemical online from a Russian vendor. The coroner said that reporting restrictions had previously been imposed on the cases due to an 'ongoing criminal investigation in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America'. Mr Brennand said a police investigation into one UK-based business found it had supplied 247 customers around the UK and Europe in a 12-month period. Police established that 45 purchasers in the UK and Europe 'were confirmed as only 15 purchases were confirmed to have taken place for legitimate purposes (meat curing etc.)' In all 247 transactions, the coroner said: 'The vendors of the (poison) were not aware of this potential misuse of the substance. 'The small quantities being purchased had been incorrectly evaluated to be an increase in individuals pursuing recreational home-curing/food preservations as a hobby, being an artefact of 'lockdown' living following the COVID national pandemic emergency. 'Vendors were unaware that their website/details were being distributed as part of internet information platforms designed to aid, abet, assist or promote suicide methods. In his reports to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, and local police, ambulance and mental health officials in the North West, the coroner warned that current Home Office guidance does not 'reference (the poison) as a specific example of concern and focuses on the phenomenon of 'malicious' misuse and not deliberate misuse in the sense of suicide/self-harm.' He said the purchase of small quantities of the poison 'is being presumed to be connected to the many legitimate uses of the than in fact, being evaluated as a member of the public seeking purchase of modest quantities used as their chosen means by which to end life.' The inquest into Ms Kelly's death heard she purchased an unnamed poisonous substance after seeking out advice on an online forum which described itself as a 'safe space'. Mr Brennand warned about the prevalence of such websites that 'promoted information as to how to access' prepare and use poisons that could bring about death. Ms Walsh was found to have ordered the poison 'from an internet-based supplier in Lithuania'. Her actions were 'deliberate and intentional' and she had a declining mental health. The coroner said Mr O'Reilly died from a 'deliberate act of recent self-ingestion'. Mr Dickenson died in March 2020 in Wigan having left a suicide note. An opened sachet bag was found next to him. The coroner redacted the name of the substance it contained, but said it had been sourced the previous month from an online firm licenced to sell such controlled poisons. Mr Bass died in February 2020 having sourced a poison in similar fashion. He had suffered from depression and anxiety. The coroner said tests found that Mr Price had consumed a 'significant and fatally toxic quantity' of the unnamed substance, having sent an email to family members which 'contained unequivocal expressions of the deceased's intention.' Mr Brown, who had a history of mental health conditions, was found dead in August 2023 in circumstances that puzzled investigators as his motive still remains 'unclear'. The coroner said the most likely scenario that led to his death was a 'fleeting, ill-considered, irrational self-harming ideation'. Mr Armstrong, 24, had shown symptoms of a psychotic illness and ingested poison after checking into a hotel. He called 999 to report what happened but it took 89 minutes for the ambulance to arrive, by which time he was dead. Chantelle Williams, who had a 'complex medical history', first ingested a 'significant but non-fatal' dose of the substance in 2019 and checked into Salford Royal Hospital where she received care. Twice she managed to order the poison while still on the Keats Ward at the hospital and ingest the poison, with the second incident killing her in May 2020. The Home Office is required to respond within 56 days of the coroner's report.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Warning over poison bought online that killed eight
A coroner has issued a warning over websites that give suicide advice after eight people were killed by a poison they bought online. Police have traced 85 people in the UK and Europe who had either died after taking the unnamed chemical which turned out to be poison or had purchased it with a view to ending their lives. Details of the deaths emerged in eight separate prevention of future death reports issued on Wednesday by Timothy Brennand, the senior coroner for Manchester West. In his reports into the 'cluster' of eight deaths in his region, he did not identify the poison except to say it was a food preservative but also 'reportable poison as well as a reportable explosives precursor'. 'The police investigation into one UK based source of supply revealed in 247 cases separate supplies of 500g or less of [REDACTED] to customers in the UK and Europe, police established that 85 of these individuals who were traceable had either died as the consequence of self-ingestion of the substance, or had purchased it with a view to having the means to use this method to end their life in circumstances,' he said. 'Vendors were unaware' In each of these instances, he said: 'The vendors of [REDACTED] were not aware of this potential misuse of the substance. 'The small quantities being purchased had been incorrectly evaluated to be an increase in individuals pursuing recreational home-curing/food preservations as a hobby, being an artefact of 'lockdown' living following the pandemic. 'Vendors were unaware that their website/details were being distributed as part of internet information platforms designed to aid, abet, assist or promote suicide methods. 'From the specific example of 247 supplies in a 12-month period, police established that 45 purchasers were confirmed as deceased (these deaths were in relation to supplies to UK customers and purchasers from abroad) and only 15 purchases were confirmed to have taken place for legitimate purposes (meat curing etc).' Mr Brennand also warned about the availability of websites that give advice on how to take your own life. He wrote: 'The police investigation revealed the ability of members of the public to access a number of websites, primarily created in the US, Canada and Mexico that promoted information as to how to access: a) poisons that could bring about death; b) how, in what way and with what other necessary preparations (in particular antiemetic medications), the poisons should be administered; c) sourcing such poisons/chemicals/medications in the UK and abroad.' Student Matthew O'Reilly, 18, was discovered collapsed and unresponsive within his locked room at his accommodation in Salford, Greater Manchester, in September 2020. He died from a 'deliberate act of recent self-ingestion', Mr Brennand said. Samuel Dickenson, 33, died in March 2020 in Wigan having left a suicide note. Shaun Bass, 23, died in February 2020, in Bolton 'having ingested a significant quantity of [REDACTED] that he had acquired earlier in the month from an internet-based company licensed to sell reportable poisons'. He had suffered from depression and anxiety. Mathew Price, 37, died in June 2021 at his home in Bolton. Andrew Brown, 45, was found dead in August 2023 in circumstances that puzzled investigators as his motive still remains 'unclear'. William Armstrong, 24, purchased the poison on the internet 'from a source in Russia', having shown symptoms of a psychotic illness. Kelly Walsh, 45, was found dead in February 2021 at home in Atherton, Wigan, having ordered the poison 'from an internet-based supplier in Lithuania'. Her actions were 'deliberate and intentional' and her mental health was declining. Chantelle Williams, who had a 'complex medical history', first ingested a 'significant but non-fatal' dose of the substance in 2019 and checked into Salford Royal Hospital where she received care. Twice she managed to order the poison while still on the Keats Ward at the hospital and ingest the poison, with the second incident killing her in May 2020. Coroner Mr Brennand added: 'The published guidance... does not give specific guidance or suggested training to sellers, particularly [REDACTED] acquired by members of the public, particularly over 'online marketplaces' in circumstances of the purchase on a 'one-off' basis for the means of self-harming. 'While there is a legal duty on persons selling this substance to report 'suspicious' transactions within 24 hours to the Home Office, the purchase of small quantities is being presumed to be connected to the many legitimate uses of the substance (such as food preservation, fertiliser etc) rather than in fact, being evaluated as a member of the public seeking purchase of modest quantities used as their chosen means by which to end life. 'The current Home Office guidance and supporting video, leaflet and posters do not reference [REDACTED] as a specific example of concern and focuses on the phenomenon of 'malicious' misuse and not deliberate misuse in the sense of suicide/self-harm.'
Sky News
7 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Mum accused of killing three people with poisonous mushrooms weeps in court
Why you can trust Sky News An Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives with poisonous death cap mushrooms wept in court as she admitted lying about medical issues. Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with murdering her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, in a case that has gripped the public. She is also charged with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. Prosecutors say Patterson knowingly served the guests lethal death cap mushrooms in a Beef Wellington at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, in July 2023. She denies all the charges, claiming the deaths were a "terrible accident". 1:39 Patterson continued speaking in her own defence on Wednesday as her trial in Morwell, Victoria, continues, repeatedly weeping in court as she said she may have accidentally included foraged mushrooms into the food she served. "Now I think there was a possibility there were foraged ones in there," she said as she was questioned by her own barrister, Colin Mandy. The court also heard that Patterson had invented medical issues partly to elicit sympathy from her estranged husband's relatives, from whom she said she felt she was growing apart. "I didn't want their care of me to stop, so I kept it going. I shouldn't have done it," she told the court. "Did you lie to them?" Mr Mandy asked. "I did lie to them," Patterson replied, through tears. The prosecution argues that Patterson invented medical issues - the trial has heard she lied about a cancer diagnosis - in order to lure the victims to the meal - a claim Patterson denies. The defence does not dispute that Patterson lied about having cancer.
