Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth with a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms. The sentence was handed down by Justice Christopher Beale in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday, broadcast live in a historic first for the state.
In July, following an 11-week trial, a jury found Patterson, 50, guilty of murdering Don and Gail Patterson—the parents of her estranged husband, Simon Patterson—and Simon's aunt, Heather Wilkinson. She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson. The crimes occurred in July 2023 when Patterson served beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms to her guests.
During a pre-sentencing hearing, Ian Wilkinson offered Patterson forgiveness, stating, 'Now I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness.' However, he said he was 'compelled to seek justice' for the three murder victims. Simon Patterson said the crimes had robbed their two children of 'the kind of relationship with their mother that every child yearns for'.
Justice Beale described the murders as 'horrendous' and noted that Patterson's notoriety had led to her being held in solitary confinement for 15 months, spending 22 hours a day in her cell. He said these harsh conditions were relevant considerations but imposed the maximum penalty. Patterson will be 82 when she becomes eligible for parole in 2056.
Patterson had pleaded not guilty, claiming the deaths were a tragic accident. She has until 6 October to lodge an appeal against her conviction or sentence.
