An Australian woman has been jailed for life, with no chance of release for at least 33 years, for murdering three relatives and attempting to kill another with a toxic mushroom meal.
The jail term, one of the longest ever handed to a female offender in Australia, means Erin Patterson, 50, will be in her 80s before she can apply for parole.
A Supreme Court judge stated that Patterson's crimes fell within the worst category of offending and involved an elaborate cover-up.
Patterson killed her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, after serving them a toxic beef Wellington at her home in Victoria in 2023.
Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, was the sole survivor, recovering from a coma but facing ongoing health issues from the poisoning.
Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, had canceled his attendance at the lunch due to concerns over her alleged attempts to poison him.
Patterson has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming that the toxic death cap mushrooms in the dish were accidentally added and that she did not intend to cause harm.
During sentencing, Justice Christopher Beale emphasized the gravity of Patterson's actions, stating they warranted the maximum penalty available. She received three consecutive life sentences for the murders and an additional 25 years for the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson.
The judge noted that Patterson would remain a notorious prisoner for years due to her high-profile case and previous media attention, thus at risk from other inmates.
In an emotional moment, Ian Wilkinson spoke out about the devastation caused to his family, expressing gratitude to law enforcement and medical personnel involved in the case.
Patterson was given 28 days to appeal the sentence and the guilty verdicts.
