Doctor's Shocking Insight: From Food Poisoning to Murder Investigation in Mushroom Case

Australian doctor Chris Webster describes the chilling moment he realized Erin Patterson, who served a toxic beef Wellington, was the culprit behind the deadly mushroom poisoning that killed her in-laws. His swift reactions and professional duty became pivotal in a trial that has gripped the nation.

Dr. Chris Webster was thrust into a chilling reality shortly after Erin Patterson entered Leongatha Hospital in rural Victoria, unknowingly unveiling her role in a horrific crime. “I knew,” Dr. Webster relayed to the BBC. “I thought, 'Okay, yep, you did it, you heinous individual. You've poisoned them all'.”

During July 2023, he had been treating two of the four individuals that Erin Patterson had allegedly poisoned. Tragically, they were her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. Erin was convicted of their murders, as well as attempted murder against pastor Ian Wilkinson, who ultimately survived after extensive medical intervention.

Initially, when Heather and Ian presented at the hospital with severe gastroenteritis symptoms, Dr. Webster, alongside his team, suspected they were dealing with a case of mass food poisoning. "Heather described a wonderful afternoon at Erin's house," he recounted during the recent trial. Following her delightful description of the beef Wellington served that day, Dr. Webster took additional precautions, sending blood samples for analysis.

His worst fears materialized when he received a call from Don and Gail’s treating physician at Dandenong Hospital. It wasn't the meat; the culprit was the wild mushrooms, and the situation was dire. Promptly, he adapted the treatment plan to save their liver functions and arrange for specialized care.

A twist in the investigation occurred when Erin arrived at the hospital with a complaint of gastro symptoms. Through a protective window, she revealed her identity. Dr. Webster quickly discerned who she was and the nature of her involvement. “I asked her where she sourced the mushrooms,” he recalled. Her singular response of "Woolworths" raised red flags for the doctor, as he suspected a grave deception.

Dr. Webster noticed two glaring details during their interaction that affirmed his suspicion: Erin’s implausible explanation and her seemingly indifferent demeanor regarding the fate of her sick relatives. Leaving Erin with nursing staff for assessments, he rushed to attend to the ill Wilkinsons. Watching them depart in an ambulance, Heather’s gratitude was particularly haunting for the doctor. “It’s actually quite difficult to talk about without getting emotional,” he admitted.

In a frantic attempt to contact Erin after she prematurely left the hospital against medical advice, Dr. Webster involved law enforcement, stating his concerns about her exposure to potentially lethal toxins. Erin eventually returned voluntarily, yet she maintained a dismissive posture towards the physician’s concerns and the urgency to check on her children, whom she claimed had also consumed leftovers.

As events unfolded, medical evaluations concluded that Erin and her children showed no signs of mushroom poisoning. After a 24-hour precautionary period, they were released.

The gripping trial took a toll on Dr. Webster, who played a crucial role in the prosecution. The emotional burden of ensuring that every detail matched accurately weighed heavily on him. “The definition of evil,” Dr. Webster labeled Erin, expressing relief following the jury's verdict confirming her guilt.

In a touching conclusion to his involvement, Dr. Webster found solace in witnessing Ian Wilkinson recover post-transplant, a stark contrast to the harrowing memory of seeing Heather taken away in an ambulance. This moment of reunion provided a sense of closure for a case that starkly altered the lives of all involved.