Woman who killed her family with mushrooms angry about one thing not being in prison cell

Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old Australian woman, was recently found guilty of murdering three of her relatives by serving them a beef Wellington dish poisoned with deadly mushrooms. The tragic event happened in July 2023 during what was meant to be a small, intimate family lunch at her home.

Among the guests were her ex-husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. All three fell seriously ill after the meal and later died in the hospital.

Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, was also at the table and became critically ill but, after weeks of treatment in the hospital, managed to survive. Erin’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had been invited to the lunch as well but canceled at the last minute, unknowingly avoiding the same fate.

The case quickly grabbed attention across Australia and around the world because of the bizarre and disturbing details. Erin, known as an enthusiastic home cook, had prepared what appeared to be a special family meal, but it ended in tragedy and suspicion. After thorough investigations, authorities charged her with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

While Erin was awaiting trial, she was held at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a high-security women’s prison. But during the trial, she was moved five days a week to Morwell Police Station, about 150 kilometers east of Melbourne, because it was next door to the courthouse where her case was being heard. Despite the gravity of the case and the public’s shock over the details, Erin seemed more focused on her personal comfort behind bars.

Through her lawyer, Erin made repeated complaints about the conditions of her temporary cell at the police station. She claimed that she was supposed to be allowed to have certain personal items — specifically, a doona (Australian word for duvet) and a pillow  but when she arrived, she was only given a blanket.

Her lawyer, Colin Mandy, explained to the judge that Erin had an agreement with the prison authorities to have these items and that without them, she had spent the night cold and sleepless. He argued that being uncomfortable and sleep-deprived was affecting her ability to focus on the trial and provide instructions to her legal team.

In addition to the bedding, Erin was also upset about not being given access to her personal laptop and charger. Her lawyer argued that these were essential tools because the case involved a “massive” amount of police paperwork and evidence that Erin needed to help review. Without these resources, Mandy said, it was harder for them to prepare her defense properly.

When Erin tried to raise her complaints directly with a custody officer, she was reportedly brushed off and told they were too busy and that she wouldn’t receive any “special treatment.

Despite the seriousness of the accusations against her, Erin’s repeated focus on her own discomfort struck many as surprising. While the families of the victims were still grieving the loss of their loved ones, Erin seemed most concerned with the lack of a good pillow, a warm blanket, and her personal electronics.

This behavior has been reported widely in the media, drawing even more public attention to a case that was already shocking on its own. Many have pointed out the contrast between the horrific nature of her crimes and the relatively minor complaints she has raised about her own situation. The case has become one of Australia’s most closely followed criminal trials, not only for the crime itself but for Erin’s behavior during and after her conviction.