Australia mushroom trial live: Erin Patterson intended to kill lunch guests and thought cancer lie ‘would die with them’, prosecution says
GuardianJUN 5
Australian Mushroom Murder Trial: Closing Arguments Delivered
Above: Media outside Latrobe Valley court as Erin Patterson faces trial over mushroom deaths, April 30, 2025. Image copyright: MARTIN KEEP/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This was no accident — it was a cold, calculated murder. Erin Patterson planned every detail, from fabricating a cancer diagnosis to justify the lunch, to deliberately sourcing deadly death cap mushrooms months earlier. She carefully prepared the meal, controlled portions, and lied repeatedly to hide the truth. While her guests fell gravely ill, she alone remained unharmed — proof of her intent and deception. The evidence leaves no doubt — this was deliberate.
Narrative B
This wasn’t murder — it was a tragic accident. The prosecution relies on selective evidence and assumptions, ignoring the bigger picture. Erin Patterson loved her in-laws — they were important to her and her children. Her panicked actions after the lunch show fear of suspicion, not guilt. She had no motive to harm them, only every reason to keep them close. This was a heartbreaking mistake, nothing more.