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Breaking: Mushroom murderer likely to die in jail after failed appeal

ABC News Australia •
October 29, 2026 • 11:13 PM
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Erin Patterson lodged an appeal against her convictions over the deaths of three relatives who died after eating beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms.

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Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period on 33 years ( NewsWire: Jason Edwards )

Erin Patterson has lost her appeal against her murder convictions over the deaths of three relatives who ate beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms.

A separate appeal by the prosecution to impose a harsher sentence was upheld and Patterson will be re-sentenced.

The decision today by the Court of Appeal means it is likely Patterson will die in jail.

She had mounted an appeal on seven grounds, all but two of which were dismissed by the Court of Appeal judges.

The appeal was heard on the remaining two grounds, but was dismissed.

The Court of Appeal judges upheld the appeal by prosecutors over the non-parole period that was included in her original sentence.

Delivering the court's judgment, Justice Stephen McLeish said the crimes involved "shocking criminality" and Patterson's conduct deserved to be "denounced in the strongest terms".

He said it was therefore inappropriate for parole to be an option.

The decision to reject Patterson's appeal leaves her with few legal options , with an appeal to the High Court of Australia her only avenue.

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Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 6 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

6 Publications
BBC News
2w ago
Erin Patterson: Australian mushroom murderer loses appeal to overturn convictions

Erin Patterson: Australian mushroom murderer loses appeal to overturn convictions

Erin Patterson argued her trial was unfair due to seven grounds but three appeal judges dismissed them all.

#appeal #patterson #mushroom
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SBS News Australia
2w ago
Mushroom killer loses appeal | SBS News in Easy English 30 October 2026

Mushroom killer loses appeal | SBS News in Easy English 30 October 2026

A five minute bulletin for English language learners

#appeal #patterson #mushroom
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The Australian Financial Review (AFR)
2w ago
Life without parole for mushroom killer Erin Patterson as appeal fails

Life without parole for mushroom killer Erin Patterson as appeal fails

The Court of Appeal scrapped Patterson’s 33-year minimum term and ruled she must spend life behind bars without parole.

#appeal #patterson #mushroom
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The Age
2w ago
Mushroom killer Erin Patterson to die in prison after appeal spectacularly backfires

Mushroom killer Erin Patterson to die in prison after appeal spectacularly backfires

Three appeal judges rejected Patterson’s plea for her conviction to be overturned and instead increased her sentence because of her “shocking criminality”.

#appeal #patterson #mushroom
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Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
2w ago
Erin Patterson appeal LIVE: The ruling on the mushroom cook’s appeal and what it means for her future behind bars

Erin Patterson appeal LIVE: The ruling on the mushroom cook’s appeal and what it means for her future behind bars

Three Court of Appeal justices have handed down their decision and Erin Patterson, sitting in a small room near a window in prison, has learned her fate. Follow our live updates.

#appeal #patterson #mushroom
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The Guardian
1w ago
Will mushroom murderer Erin Patterson make a final bid for freedom and what are the prospects of a high court appeal?

Will mushroom murderer Erin Patterson make a final bid for freedom and what are the prospects of a high court appeal?

After attempt at acquittal or retrial was dismissed, Patterson has 28 days to lodge an application for special leave to appeal to Australia’s high court

#patterson #mushroom #murderer
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