Erin Patterson, the woman at the centre of a shocking alleged mushroom poisoning that left three people dead, has been designated a high-risk inmate and placed on suicide watch within a maximum-security Australian prison, The Daily Mail can reveal.
The 49-year-old, charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder, is being held in the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a notorious women's prison in West Melbourne. Prison authorities, fearing for her safety, have taken the extreme precaution of placing her on a 24-hour suicide watch protocol.
Life Behind Bars: A Regimented and Lonely Existence
Patterson's new existence is one of intense isolation and scrutiny. As a high-risk prisoner, she is confined to her cell for up to 23 hours a day. Her few moments outside are spent in a small, secured concrete yard, a far cry from the freedom she once knew.
Corrections Victoria confirmed her status, stating: "We can confirm [the prisoner] is subject to a management plan which includes regular observations by staff. The safety and welfare of those in our care is our highest priority."
A Fatal Family Lunch
The charges stem from a seemingly innocuous family meal served at Patterson's home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29. Guests included her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and local Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson's wife, Heather, 66.
Within days, all three had tragically died after falling violently ill, with medical tests confirming the presence of deadly death cap mushrooms in their systems. Pastor Wilkinson was also hospitalised for nearly two months, fighting for his life before eventually recovering.
Patterson, who also ate the meal but claimed to have fallen ill afterwards, was arrested in November following a extensive police investigation. She has yet to enter a formal plea.
The Weight of Allegations and Isolation
Legal experts suggest the immense gravity of the charges, coupled with the overwhelming media attention and public scrutiny, are likely factors contributing to her being placed on suicide watch. The case has captivated and horrified the nation, placing Patterson under an unforgiving spotlight.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for May, where more details of the prosecution's case are expected to be presented. Until then, she remains in her heavily monitored cell, awaiting her fate as one of the most infamous inmates in the country.
