Erin Patterson, the woman convicted of murdering three people with a poisonous mushroom lunch, has been diagnosed with a rare psychological condition that could help her avoid a life sentence, Daily Mail Australia has learned.
Doctors at the Dame Phyllis Frost Correctional Centre, where Patterson has been held since her arrest in November 2023, diagnosed her with Munchausen's Syndrome. The condition involves feigning or producing symptoms of illness to assume the 'sick role' and gain attention and sympathy from others.
Patterson, 50, was found guilty in July 2025 of murdering her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, as well as attempting to murder Heather's husband Ian. During her trial, the court heard she lied about having cancer to obtain sympathy from her victims.
Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor, testified that Patterson told lunch guests she had a scan showing a tumour. Don Patterson, while dying in hospital, said Patterson had mentioned a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Patterson admitted in court she had no medical appointments related to cancer but continued the deception because she 'lapped up' the attention.
While a life sentence is the standard penalty for murder, the diagnosis could be cited as a mitigating factor. A plea hearing is expected in August, where Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy, KC will argue for a reduced sentence. However, legal experts note that such conditions rarely lead to leniency in cases of premeditated murder.
