Estranged husband refused to attend mushroom meal that proved fatal, court told

Australian woman accused of murdering in-laws with food

- MAROOSHA MUZAFFAR

The estranged husband of an Australian woman accused of murdering three of his elderly relatives using a meal laced with deadly mushrooms told a court yesterday he declined the lunch invitation because he felt “too uncomfortable” attending.

While giving evidence in court, Simon Patterson told chief prosecutor Nanette Rogers that he was invited along with his parents and his aunt and uncle to the 29 July 2023 lunch at Erin Patterson’s home, when the murders are alleged to have taken place, following a service at the Korumburra Baptist Church.

“I was a bit reluctant but I ultimately agreed,” Mr Patterson said. However, a day before the lunch, he messaged Ms Patterson to tell her that he wouldn’t be coming after all.

The court heard on Wednesday that the accused had lied about having cancer and hosted the lunch on the pretence of discussing the best way to tell her two children about the illness, in what the prosecution said was an effort to ensure the children did not attend and eat the poisoned meal. The defence does not dispute that the accused lied about having cancer.

Text messages between Simon and Erin Patterson read out in court said the accused found his decision not to attend “really disappointing” as she had spent significant amounts of time and money preparing a “special meal” for the group.

“Sorry I feel too uncomfortable about coming to the lunch with you, mum, dad, Ian and Heather,” he read from a photo of the exchange.

“That’s really disappointing, I’ve spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow,” Ms Patterson allegedly responded.