The murder trial of Erin Patterson has gripped Victoria as shocking details emerge about the tragic deaths linked to a deadly lunch.
At the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in Morwell, the courtroom has been hearing intense evidence, piecing together the events around a fateful meal served in July 2023.
Let’s dive into some of the key moments revealed during the trial.
The CCTV Footage from the Service Station
Detective Senior Constable Khuong Tran brought a crucial piece of evidence to the court — CCTV footage from a Caldermeade BP service station recorded on July 30, 2023, just a day after the ill-fated lunch.
The video, played to the jury, shows Erin Patterson arriving in her red MG at 3:20 pm, dressed in a grey jumper and white pants, carrying her handbag.
A still image captures her briefly entering the service station’s restroom before browsing the store.
The footage then shows her walking to the food section, selecting an item, and later moving to the drinks aisle before paying and leaving.
Among the items she purchased were sour candy, a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich, and a sweet chili chicken wrap — an edited 2 minutes and 34 seconds of footage, alongside 11 still photos, were presented as evidence.
Health Complaints After the Lunch
Earlier in the trial, it was revealed that Patterson reported vomiting and diarrhea to hospital staff in the days following the lunch.
This detail adds a significant layer to the prosecution’s case regarding the toxic meal allegedly served.
Digital Evidence Under the Microscope
On Tuesday, the court heard from telecommunications expert Dr. Matthew Sorell, who faced tough questioning from lead defence barrister Colin Mandy SC.
Mr. Mandy aimed to challenge Dr. Sorell’s claims that Patterson’s phone was detected near two Gippsland hotspots known for death cap mushrooms — at Outtrim and Loch.
How Digital Forensics Helped the Investigation
Victoria Police Cybercrime Squad’s Senior Digital Forensics Officer, Shamen Fox-Henry, also took the stand to explain the technical side of the probe.
Wearing a black and white striped top, Patterson listened as Mr. Fox-Henry detailed how he uses specialist software to extract and analyze data from devices.
He explained the process of recovering data from hard drives and mobile phones and converting it into “human-readable” formats, which investigators then review.
The court saw a brief PowerPoint presentation titled “digital forensics” illustrating this work.
Mr. Fox-Henry confirmed he can recover files, images, and internet search history—referred to as “artefacts”—which can be vital to investigations like this one.
Overview of the Tragic Case
Erin Patterson, 50, stands accused of a chilling crime: the murder of her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson.
The prosecution alleges that Patterson served a beef Wellington lunch laced with deadly death cap mushrooms, leading to their deaths.
Heather’s husband, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, is also a victim but survived after weeks in intensive care.
Patterson’s estranged husband Simon was reportedly invited to the lunch but did not attend.
Witnesses have described Patterson eating from a smaller, differently colored plate than the four grey plates used by her guests, a detail that has raised suspicion.
Mushroom Origins and Evidence
Patterson told authorities she had bought dried mushrooms from an unnamed Asian store in Melbourne’s Monash area, but health inspectors found no evidence to support this claim.
Officials have classified the poisoning as “isolated” to the meal served by Patterson.
Medical staff gave heart-wrenching testimony about the agonizing symptoms suffered by the victims, reinforcing the deadly nature of the mushrooms.
An expert witness confirmed that death cap mushrooms were found in debris from a dehydrator Patterson allegedly dumped at a local tip.
This discovery plays a crucial role in the case against her.
The Phone and Location Clues
Dr. Sorell’s testimony about Patterson’s phone being detected near known death cap mushroom sites adds another layer of intrigue.
The prosecution suggests this may link Patterson to the source of the poisonous fungi.
Final Moments of the Day Captured on Camera
The CCTV footage from the Gippsland BP service station showing Patterson’s brief stop at the restroom and her shopping that afternoon was a key piece of evidence presented to the jury, helping to establish her movements following the deadly lunch.