Erin Patterson’s Deadly Meal — What Really Happened?: Xanthé Mallett

The mushroom murder trial captured the attention of the whole world. Erin Patterson, a seemingly ordinary mother from a small country town, foraged for death cap mushrooms before serving a laced beef Wellington to her relatives. Heather Wilkinson alongside Don and Gail Patterson were killed by the deadly lunch. Miraculously, Ian Wilkinson survived. From the mismatched plates and crocodile tears to the myriad of lies and months of planning, criminologist Xanthé Mallett breaks down every detail of the mushroom murder case. Listen to Xanthé Mallett’s podcast, co-hosted with Tim Watson-Munro, Motive & Method, wherever you get your podcasts. 02:12 Welcome to I Catch Killers 05:19 The Mushroom Murder Case: What Captured the World's Attention 07:47 The Crime: What Happened at the Fatal Lunch 11:49 The Evidence: Different Coloured Plates and Suspicious Behaviour 16:48 The Investigation: Proving Intent in a Poisoning Case 20:09 Death Cap Mushrooms: How She Knew Where to Find Them 23:16 The Trial: Murder Charges with No Alternative 27:15 A Pattern of Lies: Nothing She Said Was True 33:51 Erin Patterson Takes the Stand: A Rare and Risky Decision 38:04 "She Thought She Could Outsmart Everyone" 43:16 The Premeditation: Months of Planning 47:30 Women Who Kill: Understanding Female Offenders 55:23 True Crime Fascination vs Victim Impact