Convicted murderer Erin Patterson, responsible for the murder of a man using poisonous mushrooms in Australia, sentenced to a minimum of 33 years in prison.

In a landmark decision, Erin Patterson was sentenced to a minimum of 33 years in prison for the murder of her in-laws, Gail Patterson, Donald Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson, as well as the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. The trial, which gripped Australia for much of its 10-week duration, was followed by millions of Australians and attracted global interest, making headlines as the Leongatha mushroom murders.

The murders, which took place in Melbourne on September 8, 2025, were committed by serving the victims a meal laced with death cap mushrooms. The presiding judge, Justice Christopher Beale, stated that the substantial planning of the murders and Patterson's lack of remorse warranted a lengthy sentence.

The Supreme Court allowed a television camera into the court to broadcast Justice Beale's sentencing remarks live due to overwhelming public interest. The extraordinary media interest in the case was traumatic for the family, as journalists and television crews from around the world descended on the town of Morwell during the trial. A total of 28 victim impact statements were received by the court, seven of which were read publicly.

Ian Wilkinson, a pastor at a local church, delivered a victim impact statement, stating he feels "half alive" without his wife. The deaths of the victims had a devastating impact on the close-knit rural community of Korumburra. The judge stated that Patterson's crimes had a devastating impact on the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families, as well as on her own children who were robbed of their grandparents.

At a pre-sentencing hearing, Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy urged for a non-parole period on the sentence, but the prosecution argued that Patterson should never be released. Erin Patterson has 28 days to appeal her sentence for the murders and attempted murder.

The case has already inspired several media productions, with books, documentaries, and a drama series, "Toxic", created by Alice Glendinning. The trial was covered extensively by popular daily podcasts, making it a topic of conversation for many Australians.

As Patterson begins her sentence, the community affected by this tragedy can begin the long process of healing. The impact of these crimes will be felt for years to come, but justice has been served in the form of a lengthy prison sentence.

Convicted murderer Erin Patterson, responsible for the murder of a man using poisonous mushrooms in Australia, sentenced to a minimum of 33 years in prison.