In a case that’s gripped the attention of Australia and now the world, a quiet dinner in a rural Victorian town has turned into one of the most shocking murder trials in recent memory.
At the center of it all is Erin Patterson—a 50-year-old mother-of-two—now facing charges that could send her to prison for life.
And for those who want to follow every twist and turn, The Mail has just launched a brand-new true crime podcast as part of its acclaimed “The Trial” series, dedicated entirely to Erin’s case.
The Deadly Dinner That Sparked a Murder Trial
On July 29, 2023, what started as a family lunch ended in tragedy.
Erin Patterson allegedly served a homemade Beef Wellington to four family members—her sister-in-law Heather Patterson, Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, and her parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson.
But this wasn’t an ordinary dish. Prosecutors allege the Wellington was laced with Death cap mushrooms—one of the deadliest fungi known.
By midnight, all four had fallen severely ill. Tragically, Heather, Gail, and Don passed away within a week. Only Ian survived.
Erin Claims She Was a Victim Too
Despite the disturbing allegations, Erin has maintained her innocence.
Her defense team points to one critical detail—she claims to have eaten the same dish and also suffered from mushroom poisoning, which they argue shows she had no intent to harm anyone.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Interestingly, a separate charge of attempting to murder her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, was quietly dropped just days before the trial began, adding even more intrigue to this already complex case.
Inside the Courthouse: Jury Selection Begins
With the trial officially underway, Mail reporter Wayne Flower—based in Australia—shared his firsthand account from inside the Valley Latrobe Courthouse on the podcast.
He described the courthouse as “packed,” with 120 potential jurors filing in, one by one.
Erin Patterson reportedly watched each of them carefully as they were vetted to ensure no one had any personal connection to witnesses or parties involved.
By 3pm, the final jury was set—ten men and five women tasked with deciding the outcome of one of Australia’s most sensational trials in years.
The Trial Podcast Offers Real-Time Courtroom Access
Listeners can now dive into The Trial of Erin Patterson, the latest addition to The Mail’s award-winning crime podcast lineup.
Hosted by crime correspondent Caroline Cheetham and featuring Wayne Flower from Australia, the podcast promises to bring listeners every dramatic revelation, directly from the courtroom.
The first episode is already live, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday and Friday.
Expect a deep dive into the evidence, witness testimony, and prosecution arguments as the case unfolds.
More Crime Stories from The Trial Series
In addition to Erin Patterson’s case, The Trial series continues to cover high-profile investigations and trials from around the globe.
Recent episodes include the high-stakes Kim Kardashian Paris robbery case and the strange story behind the destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree.
For crime fans who want even more, The Crime Desk subscription offers ad-free access to over 200 gripping episodes, including content from On The Case and other chart-topping true crime shows.
You can find The Trial of Erin Patterson on your favorite podcast platform—just search for it and hit subscribe.