Survivor of Erin Patterson's Mushroom Lunch Extends Forgiveness

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Triple murderer Erin Patterson’s surviving victim Ian Wilkinson has offered to forgive the mushroom cook for the harm she inflicted on him, advising her in a pre-sentencing hearing to “use her time in jail wisely”.

Patterson is facing the Supreme Court in Melbourne for a two-day pre-sentence hearing, where Wilkinson and the family of her murder victims have given impact statements.

The 50-year-old Patterson was convicted in July of three murders and one attempted murder over a death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington she served to her estranged husband’s family.

A jury found her guilty following a nearly 11-week trial in the regional Victorian town of Morwell.

The court found that Patterson deliberately served up the poisoned dish during lunch at her Leongatha home in 2023, to her former mother-in-law and father-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.

A woman being escorted by police officers out of a van

Heather Wilkinson’s daughter Ruth Dubois said it was “difficult” to comprehend how Erin Patterson could spend months planning her actions out. Credit: Jason Edwards/AAPIMAGE

Patterson’s lunch guests were taken to hospital, with Don, Gail and Heather dying days after the meal. She invited her estranged husband, Simon, to the deadly gathering, but he declined the night before.

Addressing the hearing on Monday, Wilkinson’s voice shook as he described Heather as a “compassionate, intelligent, brave, witty person” who he said “loved sharing life with others”.

“Like everyone else, she had faults but actively sought to overcome them so she could live peacefully and constructively with all people,” he said.

Wilkinson said the pair shared a very close marriage of 44 years, and that their four children were deeply affected by Heather’s death.

“The trauma that they experienced at their mother’s death and my near death has left deep wounds,” he said.

“The silence in our home is a daily reminder. I continue to carry a heavy burden of grief over her untimely death. It’s a truly horrible thought to live with that somebody could decide to take her life.”

He said he praised God for his “miraculous healing” and said he had forgiven Patterson for the harm she inflicted on him.

A man with grey hair wearing a black coat.

Ian Wilkinson was the sole survivor of the lunch at Erin Patterson’s Leongatha home in 2023. Source: AAP / James Ross

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

‘New threat to our lives’: Simon Patterson

Simon Patterson was not present at the hearing, but his impact statement was read to the court.

In it, he said he missed his parents and aunt “more than words can express” and criticised the media for “ambushing” him and his two children at home.

“Creepy strangers who regard humans merely as content,” Patterson described them.

“The need to perpetually watch for strangers … has introduced a new threat to our lives.”

A man in a black suit and a tie is walking outside.

Simon Patterson did not attend Monday’s pre-sentencing hearing, with his statement read out by a family member. Source: AAP / Diego Fedele

Patterson said his estranged wife had “robbed” their two children of their grandparents, and now they must face what she had done.

“None of these hurdles are easy to overcome,” he said in the statement, read to the court by family member Naomi Gleadow.

‘Hard to comprehend’ Patterson’s actions

Ruth Dubois, the daughter of Heather and Ian Wilkinson, described her mother as someone she “consistently strived to live up to”.

“Her final conversations with us were not about herself, she was more concerned about our family,” Dubois said.

“I miss her daily and life feels less bright without her.”

Dubois said it was “difficult” to comprehend how Erin Patterson could spend months planning her actions out.

A composite image featuring a woman on the left and a man and a woman hugging on the right.

Heather Wilkinson (left) and Don and Gail Patterson (right), died in hospital after eating a poisonous beef Wellington meal. Credit: Supplied

“And then to carry on with normal life, all while knowing what tremendous harm was being caused,” Dubois said.

“At every step of the way, she chose to follow through.”

She said it had been “particularly revolting” that their family tragedy had been used as “entertainment for the masses”.

Prosecutors will present arguments as to how long Patterson should be jailed for the murders and attempted murder, and her defence team will explain any factors that should mitigate the length of her sentence.

The hearing is expected to span two days. A date for Patterson’s sentencing could be set at the hearing. She potentially faces life in prison.

Prosecution asks court not to show ‘mercy’

Prosecutors told the court on Monday Patterson is “not deserving of mercy” and should never be released on parole due to the horrific nature of her triple murder.

“It is a crime that is so cruel, so horrific, that in our submission the offender is not deserving of the court’s mercy,” prosecutor Jane Warren told the Supreme Court in Melbourne.

Patterson’s lawyers accepted she will be handed a maximum sentence of life in prison.

“We make no argument the head sentence should be anything other than life imprisonment,” Patterson’s barrister Colin Mandy SC told the court.

He said even if Patterson was given a non-parole term of 30 years, she would be almost 80 if she was ever to get released.