Australian Woman Tried to Poison Husband with Food, Court Reveals

The court proceedings surrounding Erin Patterson's murder trial expose allegations of her efforts to poison her estranged husband prior to her conviction of killing three relatives. Significant detail emerged about her purported campaign involving tainted meals over several years, raising questions about her motives and actions.

 

In a shocking turn of events in an Australian courtroom, Erin Patterson, a woman recently convicted of murdering three of her relatives with a toxic meal, is now alleged to have attempted to poison her estranged husband over several years. During the trial, it was revealed that Patterson had allegedly served her husband, Simon Patterson, numerous tainted dishes, including cookies she claimed were baked by their daughter and chicken curry during camping trips.

Erin Patterson, 50, was found guilty last month of murder and attempted murder after the fatal incident with a mushroom-laced beef Wellington on July 29, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of her former in-laws and a family friend. Her estranged husband, Simon, had previously faced three counts of attempted murder related to Patterson, but those charges were inexplicably dropped right before the trial began.

In pre-trial hearings, Simon Patterson detailed a troubling history of mysterious illnesses following meals prepared by Erin Patterson since they separated in 2015. He recounted harrowing experiences, including being hospitalized for weeks and placed in a coma due to severe illness after consuming her food. He only narrowly avoided being present at the lunch that would claim his family members' lives, pulling out the day before.

Details of his suspicions about Erin's cooking were disclosed during the hearings, revealing how he began documenting his food intake in an effort to pinpoint the cause of his repeated illnesses. A family doctor had suggested he keep a food diary after noticing unusual patterns in his health. Simon's fears escalated, especially after discovering cookie treats purportedly baked by his daughter could be tampered with.

As the trial progressed, the prosecution presented a disturbing narrative of Erin's potential motivations, including a mysterious visit to a waste disposal site on the day of the deadly lunch. Evidence surrounding her potential use of poisonous substances was discussed, though various details were excluded from the trial. Notably, a social media post in 2020 referring to the effects of mushrooms on a cat—despite her not owning one—was interpreted as indicative of her curious interest in mushrooms.

The court proceedings also highlighted the victim impact statements that will be discussed at the upcoming sentencing hearing set for August 25, 2023. As the community grapples with the repercussions of these events, the case continues to capture public attention.