Australian woman found guilty of triple murder with toxic mushrooms

An Australian woman murdered her husband’s parents and aunt by lacing their beef Wellington lunch with toxic mushrooms, a jury found Monday at the climax of a trial watched around the world.

Keen home cook Erin Patterson hosted an intimate meal in July 2023 that started with good-natured banter and earnest prayer – but ended with three guests dead.

The 50-year-old is charged with murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt in July 2023 by spiking their beef-and-pastry meal with death cap mushrooms — the world’s deadliest fungi.

She is also accused of attempting to murder a fourth guest — her husband’s uncle — who survived after a long stay in hospital.

Patterson denied all charges in a trial that has made headlines worldwide.

She said the traditional English dish, which she cooked in individual portions, was poisoned by accident.

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers summed up her case, saying Patterson told “lies upon lies” because she knew the truth would implicate her.

She accused Patterson of lying to her in-laws to lure them to the lunch, telling them she wanted to discuss a serious health issue and then falsely claiming to have cancer.

AFP