Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life in prison for the deliberate poisoning of four members of her husband’s family with a spiked meal.
Patterson will spend at least 33 years behind bars, with Justice Christopher Beale said Patterson’s crimes fell into the “worst category” and showed “no pity.”
“Your offending involved an enormous betrayal of trust. Your victims were all your relatives by marriage. More than that, they had all been good to you and your children over many years,” he said.
Patterson, 50, was found guilty after an 11-week trial of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, the parents of her estranged husband Simon, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson.
She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband.
Outside court, Ian Wilkinson thanked police for their investigation.
“They brought to light the truth of what happened to three good people. We are grateful for the truth that brought this to light. I’m also very grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed us, me and my family, throughout the process.
“We’re also grateful for the staff of the various public health services that played an important role in dealing with the aftermath of the lunch.
“There are so many services and agencies and people involved that I can’t start naming names. Please each one accept my sincere gratitude for the part you have played in this process.
“We’re thankful that when things go wrong, there are good people and services and systems available to help us recover.
“Our lives and life [of] our community depends on the kindness of others. I’d like to encourage everybody to be kind to each other.
“Finally, I want to say thank you to the many people from across Australia and around the world who through their prayers and messages of support have encouraged us. I thank the people of the Leongatha and Korumburra communities in particular. Your thoughtfulness and care has been a great encouragement to us.”
Patterson was sentenced to life for each murder and 25 years for the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson. A non-parole period of 33 years means she will be around 81 before she is eligible for release.
Prosecutors argued she should never be granted parole, while her defence urged Justice Beale to allow a chance for release at the end of her sentence.
“Is it inappropriate to fix a non-parole period? Would fixing a non-parole period be contrary to the interests of justice?” the judge asked.
Justice Beale noted Patterson is likely to spend most of her sentence in isolation, describing the conditions and the likelihood of solitary confinement as “weighty conditions.”
“In my view, the only scope for making them accountable is fixing a non-parole period.”
The judge said Patterson’s actions were among the most serious he had seen.
“I have no hesitation in finding your offending falls into the worst category for the offences of murder and attempted murder.
The gravity of your offending warrants the imposition of the maximum penalties for your crimes.”
The court heard from 28 victim impact statements detailing the suffering caused.
Justice Beale said, speaking of the impact of Patterson’s crimes, “For example, Don and Gail’s son, Matthew remarks, ‘Watching my parents suffer in hospital from severe poisoning caused shock, grief and lasting trauma.’
“Ian and Heather’s son, David, remembers his mother being, ‘Desperate for water’, which she was not allowed by medical staff. And saying her, ‘Insides were burning’.
“David also mentions his father’s tortured experience, ‘Black lips, gaunt face, pained and serious expression.’”
Justice Beale said the statements showed “great anger at the callousness of your actions” and illustrated the positive impact the victims had on the world.
“Your failure to exhibit any remorse pours salt into all of the victims’ wounds. Not only did you cut short three lives… you inflicted untold suffering on your own children who you robbed of their own grandparents.”
Patterson offered multiple explanations for how deadly mushrooms ended up in the lunch, all rejected by the court. She first claimed she purchased them from an Asian grocer, then said they “accidentally found their way into the lunch.”
“The jury rejected this elaborate explanation. I am satisfied your vague story about the Asian grocery was a lie. You concocted the story about foraged mushrooms… accidentally ending up in the Beef Wellingtons.”
Her claim that she served leftover beef wellingtons to her children was also dismissed.
“You claimed, falsely, that on the Sunday night, you served them leftovers of the Beef Wellingtons with the pastry and mushrooms scraped off.”
Justice Beale accepted the evidence of Ian Wilkinson, who survived the poisoned lunch, noting Patterson ate from a smaller “orangey-tan” plate while serving her guests on large grey plates.
“I find you did this to ensure you did not mistakenly consume a poisoned meal.”
Patterson remained expressionless as sentencing was read.
Justice Beale confirmed he would not speculate on her motive, which prosecutors could not prove.
“Some murders occur for no reason, the motive for some murders may only be known to the offenders. Only you know why you committed the murders, I will not be speculating about that matter.”
The court heard Patterson, a mother of two, hosted the fatal lunch at her Leongatha home in July 2023. Don, Gail, and Heather died within a week, while Ian spent more than a month in hospital.
Prosecutors described the crime as carefully orchestrated.
“It is a crime that is so cruel and so horrific, that in our submission, the offender is not deserving of this court’s mercy.”
Her defence argued a non-parole period should be set, considering she would likely serve her sentence in solitary confinement for her protection.
For the first time in the court’s history, Justice Beale’s sentencing will be broadcast live, with a livestream available on the Supreme Court of Victoria website.
“Given the intense public interest in the case, the broadcast will provide an opportunity to inform the public of the reasons for sentence promptly and completely.”
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