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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think Erin Patterson could have got away with murder

96 replies

Cheesychipsandbeans · 11/07/2025 22:17

If she'd just said from the beginning she went foraging for mushrooms, thought she knew what she was doing and made a "terrible mistake".

I think that's what I find most disturbing about this case. Her lies and deception after the fact is what tripped her up. I read the article where the doctor treating the victims stated he knew it was her once she said she bought the mushrooms at a supermarket. No one was dead at that point so her reasons to lie if she was innocent were nill and as they already knew it was mushroom poisoning, and absolutely no way they would have been bought in a shop, it was such a terrible lie. If she'd said straight away she'd been foraging and not tried to lie her way out of it, I genuinely think she'd have gotten away with murder.

OP posts:
Testerical · 11/07/2025 23:35

It is quite strange he either did not share his poisoning theories with his parents, or his parents didn’t take him seriously: but then again, many families are very fucked up. Not fucked up to the extent of foraging poison to kill your extended family, but definitely fucked up enough to not talk about worrisome emotions and goings on.

GoodOldTrayBake · 11/07/2025 23:51

Where did you read she tried to poison her husband previously? I missed that bit

DCorMe · 11/07/2025 23:54

I get why she would try and poison her ex husband, but why her in laws and their family??
The Dr was immediately concerned as to who else could be affected, as you would do with a poisoning and she came up with the crap story about bulimia and eating the Cake too!

InWalksBarberalla · 12/07/2025 00:14

GoodOldTrayBake · 11/07/2025 23:51

Where did you read she tried to poison her husband previously? I missed that bit

There were additionally four exta attempted murder charges against her relating to Simon but they were dropped on day one of the trial. Likely not enough evidence and would have muddied the water. He was really quite sick after one of the alleged attempts - needed multiple surgeries to remove parts of his bowel. Also looks like the different alleged attempts were all from different sources- not mushrooms (think one had something to do with kidney damage).

doggydaydreams · 12/07/2025 00:16

How can anyone look at these and think mmmm yummy green mushrooms this is the exact photo displayed at her trial by funkey Tom who is the mushroom king. There’s no way you can look at that and not see how gross they are

To think Erin Patterson could have got away with murder
Honon · 12/07/2025 00:21

If she'd had the sense to plan the crime in a way that would avoid detection then I think she'd have had the sense to not do it at all, and deal with whatever problems she had in a more adult manner.
So she could in a theoretical world have got away with it, but anyone attempting this type of crime either isn't the sharpest tool in the box or is operating in such a dysfunction way that they've lost sight of reality, or both.

miraxxx · 12/07/2025 00:29

The foraging excuse wouldnt have held up as the mushrooms were relatively rare in addition to being distinctive and she had to go out of her way to find them.
Female poisoners have an interesting profile - they are generally very mixed up and damaged individuals but present as 'normal' unless you know them intimately. Motives are also rather opaque - grounded in relatively minor resentments. Compare Patterson with the Indonesian coffee with cyanide murderer. They do have tiny tells - car crashes and difficult working relationships, a streak of malice mixed with geniality or appearance of harmlessness.

wheresmymojo · 12/07/2025 00:31

TBH if you watch true crime on YouTube from the US where they actually show you the interviews it becomes quickly apparent that the average murderer is not too clever and has rarely thought things through properly.

I absolutely think someone with a decent level of intelligence could get away with murder.

miraxxx · 12/07/2025 00:32

Honon · 12/07/2025 00:21

If she'd had the sense to plan the crime in a way that would avoid detection then I think she'd have had the sense to not do it at all, and deal with whatever problems she had in a more adult manner.
So she could in a theoretical world have got away with it, but anyone attempting this type of crime either isn't the sharpest tool in the box or is operating in such a dysfunction way that they've lost sight of reality, or both.

It seems to be a kind of dysfunction or sociopathy - they think they can get away with it. They see themselves as victims probably.

ByPeachPeer · 12/07/2025 00:36

Totally agree. It's so strange as she came across as an intelligent woman, albeit a bit odd so I thought surely if she had planned it she would have come up with a better story than an Asian supermarket she couldn't remember and taking the dehydrator to the tip and all the other weird obvious lies (I listened to the podcast and have been a bit obsessed) It as almost like it was so obvious she was guilty maybe she really was innocent after leaving such obvious evidence!

InWalksBarberalla · 12/07/2025 00:44

I suspect she has a long history of punishing people who wrong her with food - previous incidents with ex- husband, the razor blade in the banana at the previous workplace..
Then she spotted death caps and thought ' that'll show them' and went to work. Went and picked them, purchased a dehydrator on the same day, practicing by dehydrating supermarket mushrooms, carefully weighing and calculating required dosages. Suspect she made practice runs with the beef wellingtons (so much pastry was purchased) to work out how to design hers so it wouldn't get muddled etc. I really think she got so caught up in the power she felt when planning it out that the she didn't consider the aftermath much- apart from maybe a superior thought that the stupid people at the country hospital will never pick up the death caps.

miraxxx · 12/07/2025 00:57

InWalksBarberalla · 12/07/2025 00:44

I suspect she has a long history of punishing people who wrong her with food - previous incidents with ex- husband, the razor blade in the banana at the previous workplace..
Then she spotted death caps and thought ' that'll show them' and went to work. Went and picked them, purchased a dehydrator on the same day, practicing by dehydrating supermarket mushrooms, carefully weighing and calculating required dosages. Suspect she made practice runs with the beef wellingtons (so much pastry was purchased) to work out how to design hers so it wouldn't get muddled etc. I really think she got so caught up in the power she felt when planning it out that the she didn't consider the aftermath much- apart from maybe a superior thought that the stupid people at the country hospital will never pick up the death caps.

Razor blade in banana? Wow. Her behaviour at the air traffic control job was the most revealing of her dark side. To be a victim of the likes of Erin Patterson or Jessica Wongso is scary because you need not antagonise them in obvious ways.

Planesmistakenforstars · 12/07/2025 01:00

She didn't expect the doctors to identify death cap mushroom poisoning so quickly, or even at all. Had they not investigated the cause until after they had died, which is what she assumed, then the toxins would not have been identifiable. She also didn't expect Ian Wilkinson to survive. Without his testimony it would have been a very difficult case to prove. He gave them the evidence about different coloured plates and the false pretense for the lunch (which opened up Erin lying on the stand about gastric band surgery; that lie was probably the most damaging to her credibility.) In short, she thought she was smarter than she was, and she thought no one else was as smart as her.

DrAmanitaPhalloides · 12/07/2025 01:00

Lying about the cancer at dinner.
And then lying anout gastric band surgery.

Remaker · 12/07/2025 01:08

People give themselves away when they make their lies too complicated. All she needed to do was say she’d made a terrible mistake with foraging. She didn’t have 5 matching plates so she took the odd one out (anyone would do this), made individual wellingtons because she was worried about getting the beef cooked right and thought it would be easier that way.

Why did she feed her children the leftovers when the rest of the family was seriously ill!? Surely that was the biggest giveaway of all that she knew which food was dangerous and which wasn’t.

I think she underestimated the medical system and how quickly they would be onto her so she had to hurry up and dispose of the evidence.

savagedaughter · 12/07/2025 01:18

I doubt it, what a lot of people don't realise is that jurors are allowed to assess the credibility of witnesses when weighing evidence, which includ considering if a witness is believable based on demeanour, consistency and plausibility. She was clearly and obviously a lying bitch from day one and I think they would have sussed it out.

ClairDeLaLune · 12/07/2025 01:22

Could someone link to the podcasts please?

velvetandsatin · 12/07/2025 01:43

InWalksBarberalla · 12/07/2025 00:14

There were additionally four exta attempted murder charges against her relating to Simon but they were dropped on day one of the trial. Likely not enough evidence and would have muddied the water. He was really quite sick after one of the alleged attempts - needed multiple surgeries to remove parts of his bowel. Also looks like the different alleged attempts were all from different sources- not mushrooms (think one had something to do with kidney damage).

Apparently the judge ruled that the attempts on Simon Patterson and the July 29 murders and attempted murder charges must be tried as separate cases.

Dustyblue · 12/07/2025 02:38

Hi All,

This trial has been covered exhaustively on the Aussie & NZ Forum, head over there if you've a few hours to spare!

TiredAllNight · 12/07/2025 03:19

Ponoka7 · 11/07/2025 22:27

She needed to mix the mushrooms in the kitchen and stick to the foraging story. Then dose herself with laxatives, possibly burying/burning the packaging and lastly, act over concerned and remorseful for the others being ill.

You are saying a murderer should have covered her tracks better.
😮

wineosaurusrex · 12/07/2025 03:48

Dustyblue · 12/07/2025 02:38

Hi All,

This trial has been covered exhaustively on the Aussie & NZ Forum, head over there if you've a few hours to spare!

She totally could have made it look like an accident!

She should have shown a public interest in similar to mushroom foraging - I.e. foraging for other things, or living off the land - possibly made a social media page about it and made sure people thought it was a keen interest for a significant period of time beforehand. At least 1-2 years. Posting meals she's made with foraged or self grown food etc,photos of her on the foraging trips. She can help by becoming an active member of communities related to this to made it seem extra realistic, if only active on social media groups. Really build the image.

She should have invited the intended victims for at least 1 other meal - possibly 2 - within a period of a year before the deadly meal, where they were served normal food and left healthy. Bonus points if she grew/foraged part of the ingredients for the meals she cooks these guests AND other guests who she invites around during this time. (No mushrooms yet!)

She should have started mushroom foraging very recently - as recently as 3 weeks/a month ago and publicly documented that. Recently enough that it was totally believable she could have made a mistake, but it's totally something she'd be in to because of her well-known and well documented other hobbies. Document this start of this new foraging journey on social media.

If she's going to use bulimia in her defence then she should visit the doctors about this, discuss with friends and family her struggle, possibly even go down the social media route of posting about it occasionally (don't over egg the pudding but maybe just a post to raise awareness during eating disorders awareness week). Ensure she mentions to doctors and concerned friends her laxative use after meals which is a part of her bulimia.

All food served on the same plates but with a very subtle difference like a small chip in hers.

Cook enough death cap wellingtons for everyone - herself included. Cook one with no death caps in. Serve poisoned wellingtons to family members and Serve herself the one without poison but leave one more WITH death caps in the kitchen. Before the meal, cut about 3/4 of this final poisoned one away so it looks like it's been eaten and flush it down the toilet so it can't be found. Leave 1/4 of this final poisoned Wellington in the kitchen.

Eat 3/4 of your unpoisoned Wellington so there is 1/4 left Make a point of showing this to guests "That was alright, wasn't it? But I'm so full I can't finish it" so any survivors could vouch that she had about 1/4 left if asked.

After the meal, take plates to kitchen. Leave them uncleared on the side. Make sure you subtly get rid of the unpoisoned Wellington on your plate (down the toilet!) and replace it with the 1/4 death cap wellington in the kitchen, so if the food remains are tested, it looks like you all ate the same food.

Consume large amount of laxatives so you start to show the same symptoms as the others. Don't clear the plates away! You're too sick, it's suspicious. Don't clean up, also suspicious. Stay at the hospital for a while being visibly very unwell - make sure there are witnessed incidents of vomiting or diarrhea. Make excuse to leave at some point (before blood tests are mentioned) eg need to get back for the kids or they'll be alone.

After the hospital, go straight to bed. Possibly call respectable friend to report how sick you are and ask her to bring something for you or the kids as you're just too sick to do anything. Let her come and witness how very unwell you are. Don't leave the house or bed or clean up for at least 3 days. Have friends come in to check on you / help / witness the sickness during this time.

Don't dispose of anything. It was all an innocent mistake. Admit mushrooms were foraged. You ate them too but went to take your laxatives like you do after every meal due to well known bulimia struggle so mistake have survived. Very sorry.

wineosaurusrex · 12/07/2025 03:51

Oops - quoted a random poster. Didn't mean to!

Notsosure1 · 12/07/2025 04:03

WhatTheHelll · 11/07/2025 22:28

I think she would have been suspected eventually as they worked out the cause.

The Dr who reported it only seen her for up to 5 min before he called police.

Yeah and I think it’s a natural instinct to lie when ppl you’ve cooked for (that you’ve attempted to kill) end up critically ill in hospital - it was self-preservation. She would want to distance herself from any culpability and lay the blame on someone else (a supermarket fits the bill even better as it’s faceless and not directly accusing another person who could easily disprove her accusation). Given the history of blatant food tampering with her ex-husband she’s clearly unhinged and a danger to society so I’m glad she’s been found out.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 12/07/2025 04:03

wineosaurusrex · 12/07/2025 03:48

She totally could have made it look like an accident!

She should have shown a public interest in similar to mushroom foraging - I.e. foraging for other things, or living off the land - possibly made a social media page about it and made sure people thought it was a keen interest for a significant period of time beforehand. At least 1-2 years. Posting meals she's made with foraged or self grown food etc,photos of her on the foraging trips. She can help by becoming an active member of communities related to this to made it seem extra realistic, if only active on social media groups. Really build the image.

She should have invited the intended victims for at least 1 other meal - possibly 2 - within a period of a year before the deadly meal, where they were served normal food and left healthy. Bonus points if she grew/foraged part of the ingredients for the meals she cooks these guests AND other guests who she invites around during this time. (No mushrooms yet!)

She should have started mushroom foraging very recently - as recently as 3 weeks/a month ago and publicly documented that. Recently enough that it was totally believable she could have made a mistake, but it's totally something she'd be in to because of her well-known and well documented other hobbies. Document this start of this new foraging journey on social media.

If she's going to use bulimia in her defence then she should visit the doctors about this, discuss with friends and family her struggle, possibly even go down the social media route of posting about it occasionally (don't over egg the pudding but maybe just a post to raise awareness during eating disorders awareness week). Ensure she mentions to doctors and concerned friends her laxative use after meals which is a part of her bulimia.

All food served on the same plates but with a very subtle difference like a small chip in hers.

Cook enough death cap wellingtons for everyone - herself included. Cook one with no death caps in. Serve poisoned wellingtons to family members and Serve herself the one without poison but leave one more WITH death caps in the kitchen. Before the meal, cut about 3/4 of this final poisoned one away so it looks like it's been eaten and flush it down the toilet so it can't be found. Leave 1/4 of this final poisoned Wellington in the kitchen.

Eat 3/4 of your unpoisoned Wellington so there is 1/4 left Make a point of showing this to guests "That was alright, wasn't it? But I'm so full I can't finish it" so any survivors could vouch that she had about 1/4 left if asked.

After the meal, take plates to kitchen. Leave them uncleared on the side. Make sure you subtly get rid of the unpoisoned Wellington on your plate (down the toilet!) and replace it with the 1/4 death cap wellington in the kitchen, so if the food remains are tested, it looks like you all ate the same food.

Consume large amount of laxatives so you start to show the same symptoms as the others. Don't clear the plates away! You're too sick, it's suspicious. Don't clean up, also suspicious. Stay at the hospital for a while being visibly very unwell - make sure there are witnessed incidents of vomiting or diarrhea. Make excuse to leave at some point (before blood tests are mentioned) eg need to get back for the kids or they'll be alone.

After the hospital, go straight to bed. Possibly call respectable friend to report how sick you are and ask her to bring something for you or the kids as you're just too sick to do anything. Let her come and witness how very unwell you are. Don't leave the house or bed or clean up for at least 3 days. Have friends come in to check on you / help / witness the sickness during this time.

Don't dispose of anything. It was all an innocent mistake. Admit mushrooms were foraged. You ate them too but went to take your laxatives like you do after every meal due to well known bulimia struggle so mistake have survived. Very sorry.

I'm a bit scared of you

KJP256 · 12/07/2025 04:04

The white pants was the giveaway. No one wears white pants if they have tummy issues