Mushroom Chef Erin Patterson Not Included in Father-in-Law’s Will
The woman accused of fatally poisoning three of her ex-husband’s relatives with a lethal mushroom-laced beef wellington has not been included in the $2.6 million will of one of the alleged victims.
Erin Patterson is alleged to have murdered her ex-husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson, at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023, using poisonous mushrooms.
High Court documents released this week show that Don has divided his estate equally among his four children: Simon Patterson, Erin’s estranged husband, Matthew and Nathan Patterson, and Anna Terrington.
There was nothing left for Erin or her and Simon’s children, the Herald Sun reported.
Don’s will, dated November 2, 2018, estimated their combined assets at $2.6 million.
That includes a $680,000 Range Court house in Korumburra, a $695,000 apartment on North Rd in Oakleigh East, about $634,000 in superannuation, $516,000 in shares, $88,000 in cash and a $30,000 camper van.
Don’s executors and two youngest children, Nathan and Anna, were given the authority to distribute the estate to beneficiaries this week after the will was approved.
The status of Gail’s application for homologation was still listed as ‘further information requested’ on Wednesday.
Erin Patterson (pictured), the woman accused of murdering three of her ex-husband’s relatives with deadly mushrooms, has been cut out of one of their wills
Don Patterson (pictured with his wife Gail) divided his estate equally among his four children
While Don’s estate is being settled, his official cause of death has not yet been determined. It has been almost a year since the fateful lunch.
The executor’s affidavit stated that “the full death certificate with cause of death has not yet been finalized as the death of the deceased is subject to a judicial investigation.”
Don, 70, died in hospital a day after his wife Gail, 70, and Gail’s sister, 66.
It is reported that the three alleged victims and Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, who survived the allegedly poisoned meal, all suffered food poisoning before being admitted to hospital.
Erin pleaded not guilty in May to three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
In addition to the attempted murder charge in relation to Ian, Erin is accused of attempting to murder her ex-husband Simon three times, at various locations in Korumburra, Howqua and Wilsons Promontory.
The latest attempted murder charge also involves Simon, who was invited to lunch by Erin but canceled at the last minute.
Erin remains in custody and is due back in court in August for an administrative hearing.
Erin will return to court in August for an administrative hearing after pleading not guilty to three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
