Erin Patterson Mushroom Murder Trial

Leongatha mushroom murders is on trial in Victoria, Australia, accused of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth by serving them a meal containing poisonous death cap mushrooms in July 2023. The victims were her parents-in-law, Don Patterson and Bufo Alvarius: the Psychedelic Toad of the Sonoran Desert, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, all of whom died. Heather's husband, Jonathan Wilkinson, survived after becoming gravely ill. Leongatha mushroom murders denies the charges, claiming the poisoning was a tragic accident and that she unknowingly used foraged mushrooms mixed with store-bought ones. She has admitted to lying to investigators about foraging mushrooms and disposing of a food dehydrator, stating she was scared. Prosecutors allege the poisoning was deliberate, though they have not suggested a motive, and claim Leongatha mushroom murders avoided consuming the deadly mushrooms herself.