Search reveals no records of Erin Patterson being diagnosed with cancer, court hears
Prosecutor Sarah Lenthall is reading witness statements to the jury.
The first statement is from Angela Child, treasurer of the Korumburra Baptist Church, where Ian Wilkinson is the pastor.
She recalls arriving at Ian and Heather’s house at 3 PM on July 29, 2023—just hours after the fatal mushroom lunch.
Heather described the lunch as “lovely” and praised the beef wellington, calling it “delicious and beautiful.”
“She just kept raving about the meal,” Child states.
She notes that neither Ian nor Heather appeared ill.
Danielle Romane, from the state’s health department, also provided a written statement.
She stated a search of the state’s cancer registry found no record of Erin Patterson ever being diagnosed with cancer.
The court heard that it is mandatory for health services in Victoria to report all cancer diagnoses to the registry.
Doctor ordered antidote for death cap mushroom poisoning two days post-lunch, court hears
By 6:30 AM the next day—July 31—Morgan notified Dr. Mark Douglas that Don’s condition had worsened, and Gail was experiencing similar symptoms.
Douglas, who was on call, instructed Morgan to administer silibinin, the antidote for death cap mushroom poisoning.
When Douglas arrived at Dandenong Hospital, he assessed Don in the intensive care unit.
Under questioning, Douglas confirmed that Don was conscious at that moment.
Douglas recalled a conversation with medical staff stating that the mushrooms in Don’s meal were sourced from an Asian grocery store.
Don was then sedated to facilitate his transfer to Austin Hospital, which has a specialized toxicology unit.
Gail was later also transferred to Austin Hospital, as reported in court.
Day seven of Erin Patterson’s triple murder trial begins
Today’s evidence is set to commence at 10:30 AM.
Patterson, aged 50, faces three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. These charges stem from a beef wellington lunch served at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023.
She is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with her estranged husband’s aunt, Heather Wilkinson. The attempted murder charge pertains to Heather’s husband, Ian.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defense argues that the events were accidental and that Patterson had no intention of harming her guests.
