A chilling documentary about a fatal family lunch is airing on TV tonight. 'The Mushroom Murders: The Case That Gripped the World' is coming to Channel 5 tonight (May 14) at 10pm, and it's not one to miss.
The Story of Erin Patterson
It tells the story of convicted murderer Erin Patterson, who killed three relatives and severely injured a fourth after serving a deadly meal at her home in Leongatha, Australia. The crime took place in July 2023, when Erin invited her would-be victims to her home and served a poisonous beef Wellington. Her guests were in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, alongside Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson and Heather's husband, Ian.
The Deadly Lunch
All four victims were admitted to hospital with food poisoning symptoms within 24 hours of the lunch. Three died within six days of the meal, with Ian being the only surviving victim. It later emerged that Erin had planted deadly mushrooms called Amanita phalloides, also known as death caps, into the dish.
Following her crimes, the Australian native was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder in November 2023. She was trialled in September 2025 and sentenced to life in prison. She won't be eligible for parole for 33 years.
Documentary Impact
The case has inspired a string of documentaries, including on Netflix, which have already left a lasting impact on viewers. Taking to X, one fan raved about Netflix's version, stating: "This Death Cap Mushroom Murder thing on Netflix is absolutely mental." Another viewer shared: "This is a case that feels almost too strange to be real, like something lifted straight from an Agatha Christie novel, murder by Beef Wellington sounds more like fiction than fact. Yet the reality is far more disturbing, not least because of how ordinary it all appears on the surface." While a third confessed: "I can't look at beef Wellington the same after watching that Netflix documentary."
Channel 5's synopsis teases: "We reveal the full story of how, in July 2023, Erin Patterson murdered three dinner guests and attempted to murder another by serving them a poisonous beef wellington." Channel 5 viewers can tune into 'The Mushroom Murders: The Case That Gripped the World' tonight (May 14) at 10pm.
