As the festive season fades, UK Netflix viewers are swapping Christmas cheer for a chilling true crime story that has rapidly become one of the platform's most-watched shows. The documentary, titled 'Death Cap: The Mushroom Murders', delves into one of Australia's most shocking recent homicide cases, involving a family lunch that turned fatal.
The Deadly Dinner That Shocked a Nation
The core of the story centres on Erin Patterson, 51, who in July 2023 prepared a beef Wellington for her relatives. Unbeknownst to her guests, the dish was laced with lethal death cap mushrooms. The meal swiftly claimed the lives of three family members: her in-laws, Don and Gail Paterson, and Gail's sister, Emily Wilkinson.
Miraculously, Emily's husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived the poisoning after spending weeks in a coma fighting for his life. The documentary reveals that Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the fateful gathering but declined, later stating he feared she might poison him.
A Documentary Climbs the Charts and Fuels Discussion
Since its release on Netflix UK on December 16, the series has captivated audiences, climbing to become the third most-watched show on the service. It poses the central, haunting question highlighted in its synopsis: 'After three lunch guests die of poisoning from beef Wellington, police look to the one person who doesn't fall ill. Was it luck, or something darker?'
Viewer fascination has been amplified by revelations from Erin Patterson's ex-husband, who claimed in the documentary that she had attempted to poison him on multiple occasions prior to the 2023 incident. 'I thought there'd be a risk that she'd poison me if I attended,' he said of his decision to skip the lunch.
Viewer Reaction and Unanswered Questions
On forums like Reddit, viewers have praised the series as 'insane and gripping'. One user noted, 'I have followed the case since 2023 but the doc kind of brings it all together. Highly recommend.' Another described it as 'morbidly fascinating', though it left them with numerous questions about the motives and timing of the crimes.
Despite being sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 33 years without parole, Erin Patterson maintains her innocence. She claims the poisoning was accidental, a defence the documentary scrutinises alongside her attempt to shift blame onto the Asian food market industry—a move online commentators have criticised as an attempt to stir racial prejudice.
The case, and its compelling documentary retelling, underscores the dark allure of true crime. 'Death Cap: The Mushroom Murders' is available to stream on Netflix now, offering a stark departure from holiday viewing for audiences across the UK.
