A lady who served a beef wellington which killed three people kept a set of books on deadly mushrooms in her home.
Erin Patterson, who was found guilty of the deaths of three people, kept the gathering of books, which included recipes featuring potentially dangerous fungi, Every day Mail Australia reported.
The 50-year-old had invited her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, to their former shared home for a ‘reconciliation’ lunch together with his parents, Gail and Don Patterson, on July 29, 2023.
Mr Patterson’s aunt Heather Wilkinson and her pastor husband Ian were also present as a part of the church mediation.
But Simon pulled out last minute, meaning he never consumed the lethal beef Wellington pie, which was behind the deaths of each his parents and Ms Wilkinson.
Ian was the one survivor of the deadly meal.
The source also said Ms Patterson foraged mushrooms once they were in season, and owned quite a lot of books on the topic.
Patterson denied any wrongdoing until her guilty verdict was delivered today.
Police said the victims experienced symptoms consistent with consuming death cap mushrooms, which may cause kidney and liver failure.
The case turned on the query of whether Patterson meticulously planned a triple murder or unintentionally killed three people she loved, including her children’s only surviving grandparents.
Her lawyers said she had no reason to achieve this – she had recently moved to a gorgeous latest home, was financially comfortable, had sole custody of her children and was as a consequence of begin studying for a level in nursing and midwifery.
But prosecutors suggested Patterson had two faces – the lady who publicly appeared to have a great relationship along with her parents-in-law, while her private feelings about them were kept hidden.
Patterson previously said she became unwell after eating the meal, and while within the hospital, her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, accused her of poisoning his parents.
The trial also heard that Patterson had told her friends she was hiding ‘powdered mushrooms in every thing’.
A lady who met Erin through a real crime forum on Facebook has said the accused killer was a ‘little bit of a brilliant sleuth.’
Christine Hunt told the court in May how the pair met around six years ago through a bunch formed to debate the trial of Keli Lane, which first had about 2,000 members.
A few of Patterson’s Facebook posts to the group were shown in court, including photos of a dehydrator that she had bought.
‘I’ve been hiding powdered mushrooms in every thing. Mixed it into chocolate brownies yesterday, the youngsters had no idea’ Patterson said in a single message to the group, The Guardian reported.
Daniela Barkley, one among the members of the group who also gave evidence within the hearing, said soon afterwards Patterson asked if anyone had cooked beef wellington, and in the event that they had advice for the dish.
She added that Patterson posted quite a bit about her children, adding: ‘That’s all she cared about in life, I feel … yeah, I assumed she was a beautiful mother.’
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Comedian admits he ‘nearly got right into a punch-up’ at Wimbledon
MORE: The shocking moment teenage boy punches woman unconscious at UK rapper’s concert
MORE: Kanye West officially banned from Australia after controversial song