Deadly Lunch: Australian Woman Found Guilty in Mushroom Poisoning That Shocked a Nation

An Australian woman, Erin Patterson, was convicted on Monday of murdering three of her husband’s family members and attempting to murder a fourth by serving them a meal containing toxic mushrooms. The case, which captivated the nation, concluded with a guilty verdict after a week of jury deliberation. Patterson, 50, now faces the possibility of life in prison. The jurors had been isolated during the trial due to intense media coverage. The sentencing date has not yet been announced.

The incident occurred almost two years ago in Leongatha, a small rural town, during a lunch gathering where Patterson served beef Wellington. Although she had invited her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, he chose not to attend. Instead, his parents—Gail and Don Patterson—along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian Wilkinson, joined the meal.

Read more: Erin Patterson Is Found Guilty of Murder in Australia Mushroom Poisoning Case - The New York Times