An Australian woman has been jailed for life, with no chance of release for at least 33 years, for murdering three relatives and trying to kill another with a toxic mushroom meal.
The jail term, one of the longest ever handed to a female offender in Australia, means Erin Patterson, 50, will be in her 80s before she can apply for parole.
A Supreme Court judge said Patterson's crimes were the 'worst category' for offending and involved an 'elaborate cover-up'.
Patterson killed her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, after serving them a toxic beef Wellington at her home in Victoria in 2023.
Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, survived the lunch after recovering from a coma and has ongoing health issues related to the poisoning.
Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson was meant to attend the lunch too but cancelled at the last minute, in part due to his belief that his wife had been trying to poison him for years.
Patterson has long maintained her innocence, saying the toxic death cap mushrooms in the dish she prepared were accidentally added and that she never intended to harm her relatives.
During his sentencing remarks, Justice Christopher Beale said the gravity of Patterson's crimes meant he must impose the 'maximum penalty'.
Prosecutors had argued that the mother-of-two should be sentenced to life in jail with no prospect of release - the harshest punishment available in Australia.
Patterson will serve three consecutive life sentences for the three murders and 25 years for the attempted murder of Mr. Wilkinson.
Justice Beale pointed out that the prosecution had not alleged a motive for Patterson's crimes during the nine-week murder trial, which concluded two months ago, and that he would not either. 'Only you know why you committed them,' he said, addressing Patterson.
Outside the court, Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor of the fatal lunch, spoke publicly for the first time about the ordeal that tore his family apart, expressing gratitude for the support he received during this difficult time. He emphasized the importance of kindness among individuals in the wake of such tragedy.
The jail term, one of the longest ever handed to a female offender in Australia, means Erin Patterson, 50, will be in her 80s before she can apply for parole.
A Supreme Court judge said Patterson's crimes were the 'worst category' for offending and involved an 'elaborate cover-up'.
Patterson killed her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, after serving them a toxic beef Wellington at her home in Victoria in 2023.
Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, survived the lunch after recovering from a coma and has ongoing health issues related to the poisoning.
Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson was meant to attend the lunch too but cancelled at the last minute, in part due to his belief that his wife had been trying to poison him for years.
Patterson has long maintained her innocence, saying the toxic death cap mushrooms in the dish she prepared were accidentally added and that she never intended to harm her relatives.
During his sentencing remarks, Justice Christopher Beale said the gravity of Patterson's crimes meant he must impose the 'maximum penalty'.
Prosecutors had argued that the mother-of-two should be sentenced to life in jail with no prospect of release - the harshest punishment available in Australia.
Patterson will serve three consecutive life sentences for the three murders and 25 years for the attempted murder of Mr. Wilkinson.
Justice Beale pointed out that the prosecution had not alleged a motive for Patterson's crimes during the nine-week murder trial, which concluded two months ago, and that he would not either. 'Only you know why you committed them,' he said, addressing Patterson.
Outside the court, Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor of the fatal lunch, spoke publicly for the first time about the ordeal that tore his family apart, expressing gratitude for the support he received during this difficult time. He emphasized the importance of kindness among individuals in the wake of such tragedy.
