A doctor has revealed the exact moment he realised Erin Patterson was behind the deadly mushroom lunch that left three people dead.
Dr Chris Webster, a GP at Leongatha Hospital, told the BBC that the second Patterson walked into the hospital in July 2023, it hit him. “You did it,” he thought to himself. “You heinous individual. You’ve poisoned them all.”
This week, Erin was found guilty of murdering her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived after weeks in intensive care and a liver transplant.
At first, Dr Webster and his team thought Heather and Ian were suffering from ordinary food poisoning. They’d arrived at hospital with severe vomiting and diarrhoea, shortly after enjoying what Heather had described as a “lovely” family lunch.
Heather told the doctor the beef Wellington she’d eaten was “delicious”. Dr Webster said his initial concern was the meat, so he sent blood samples off for testing and began rehydrating the couple.
Another doctor treating Don and Gail Patterson suspected mushroom poisoning. He informed Dr Chris Webster at Leongatha Hospital. Dr Webster immediately changed treatment plans for Ian and Heather Wilkinson. He arranged to transfer them to a larger hospital.
The exact moment it all clicked for the doctor
via YouTube
Soon after, Erin Patterson arrived at the hospital’s front desk. She said she thought she had gastro. Dr Webster asked for her name. When she said “Erin Patterson,” he realised she was the person who cooked the meal.
He told her it was likely they had all consumed deadly mushrooms. She replied with one word: “Woolworths.” She claimed the mushrooms had come from the supermarket.
Dr Webster said the answer seemed unusual. Foraging mushrooms is common in the area. Admitting that wouldn’t have raised suspicion. But naming a major supermarket with strict food safety standards stood out to him. He also said Patterson showed no concern for Ian and Heather, who were lying nearby.
After being briefly checked by nurses, Patterson left the hospital. Dr Webster attempted to contact her by phone, without success. He then phoned police.
“This is Dr Chris Webster from Leongatha Hospital,” he said in a recording played at trial. “I have a concern about a patient who presented here earlier, but has left the building and is potentially exposed to a fatal toxin from mushroom poisoning.”
Patterson returned to hospital later that day. She told the jury she had gone home to feed her pets and pack a bag. She also said she had lain down to rest because she was feeling overwhelmed.
When asked in court if that response made sense after being told she had eaten a deadly toxin, she replied, “It might be the last thing you’d do, but it was something I did.”
Now, Dr Webster said the verdicts brought a sense of closure. “I was shaking when I saw it pop up on my phone,” he said. “It’s a relief. It does feel like justice.”
He said testifying had come with pressure, especially as a key witness. But seeing Ian Wilkinson recovered helped. “That brought some comfort,” he said.
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