Erin Patterson Receives Life Sentence; Court Hears Her Lack of Remorse Has 'Worsened the Pain'

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Triple murderer Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Patterson was sentenced to life in prison on three counts of murder, and a 25-year prison sentence for attempted murder, which will all be served concurrently.

Her initial non-parole period of 35 years has been reduced, acknowledging the approximate two years she has already spent in prison.

Patterson faces the “substantial chance” that she will see out her sentence in solitary confinement “for years to come”.

Justice Christopher Beale said Patterson’s continued denial of her culpability only worsens the impact of her crimes.

“Your failure to exhibit any remorse pours salt into all of the victims’ wounds,” Beale said.

The sentence was broadcast live and came more than two years after she served a death cap mushroom-laced lunch that killed three of her in-laws.

Patterson has 28 days to appeal against the sentence or conviction.

Patterson had pleaded not guilty and had always maintained the deaths were a tragic accident.

She was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.

‘Worst category of offending’, justice says

In his delivery, Beale described Patterson’s actions as “the worst category of offending”, saying a standard sentence for murder is 25 years in prison.

Beale outlined how he would deliver the sentence to Patterson, who was present but not filmed during the sentencing.

“Whether or not to fix a nonparole period is the main dispute which I have to determine.”

Beale then outlined the facts of the case, from the moment Patterson served the deadly beef wellingtons to her guests, to her attempts to conceal her knowledge of the death cap mushrooms.

“Your offending, which resulted in the death of three people, and near death of another, involved substantial premeditation,” he said.

“When you unusually invited Simon, his parents, and aunt and uncle to a lunch without the children to discuss your non-existent medical issue, you did so with the intention of killing them all.”

‘Untold suffering’

Beale then turned to the victim impact statements made during the trial, which the justice said showed the “trauma experienced” over four generations of the Patterson and Wilkinson families.

“Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson’s health, thereby devastating extended Patterson and Wilkinson families, you inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents,” he said.

Patterson’s motive has not been determined by the court, with Beale saying he wouldn’t “speculate” on why she murdered the three victims and attempted to murder one more.

Victim speaks outside court

Speaking after the sentencing, Ian Wilkinson thanked the police and homicide squad for their work on the case.

“They made a professional, efficient, and effective investigation into what happened at the lunch,” he said.

“They brought to light the truth of what happened to three good people.”

Wilkinson thanked people who have given prayers and messages of support to the impacted families and communities.

‘Unprecedented’ media coverage of the case

The trial has garnered immense media coverage across Australian and international outlets — from local newspapers to global news agencies such as Reuters, CNN, and the BBC — and has been the subject of podcasts offering daily updates and unpacking the evidence presented to the jury.

Beale described the media coverage as “incessant”, making it hard to shield young relatives of the families from online discussion of the case.

“Many of your adult victims struggled not only with the loss of their loved ones and the terrible way they died, but with the distress, even guilt, at their own seeming inability to ease the suffering of those close to them,” he said.

“They keenly feel their limitations and, in particular, the impossibility of shielding the youngest from the incessant discussion of the case in media, online, in public spaces — even in the schoolyard.”

Beale said given the unprecedented media coverage of the case, Patterson is “likely to remain a notorious prisoner for many years to come” and could be at “a significant risk from other prisoners”.

“There is a substantial chance that for your protection you will continue to be held in solitary confinement for years to come,” he said.

Surviving victim offers forgiveness

“I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin,” he said.

“In regards to the murder of Heather, Gail and Don, I am compelled to seek justice. However, I encourage Erin to accept my offer of forgiveness for the harms done to me. My prayer for her is that she use her time in jail wisely to become a better person.

“Now, she has become the victim of my kindness.”

Beale acknowledged Wilkinson’s comment, telling Patterson, “that offer of forgiveness presents you with an opportunity. You would do well to embrace it in the manner he suggests.”