<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Erin Patterson has finally been found guilty of three counts of murder and attempted murder almost two years after the fatal poisoning, and after a mammoth 10-week trial.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For weeks and weeks, new information has poured out about the events that led to the deaths of Don Patterson, Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and the near-death of Ian Wilkinson.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>We've summarised a timeline of how the complicated case played out.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-what-we-know-about-the-mushroom-killer/ab578ff6-2d76-42bb-bbcb-84abb7181e6c"><strong><span>What we know about Erin Patterson</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>April 18, 2023</span></strong><span> - A post on iNaturalist, a website for tracking plants and fungi, records death cap mushrooms growing in the Loch area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>April 28, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson's mobile service records indicate a possible visit to Loch, according to telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorrell.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Erin Patterson also buys a food dehydrator from Hartley Wells Betta Electrical store in Leongatha.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-guilty-the-timeline-of-events-that-led-to-the-verdicts/8af7134e-ea24-41e2-a55c-46d114949195" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>May 21, 2023</span></strong><span> - Another post on iNaturalist shares the exact location of death cap mushrooms growing in Outtrim.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>May 22, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin's mobile phone data suggests she travels to Loch and Outtrim.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>July 16, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson attends a service at Korumburra Baptist Church and invites Don, Gail and Simon Patterson and Ian and Heather Wilkinson to lunch on July 29.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>July 28, 2023</span></strong><span> - Simon Patterson messages Erin Patterson that he will not come to the lunch because he feels "too uncomfortable".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Five minutes later, she replies, "That's really disappointing, I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And spent a small fortune on beef eye fillet to make beef Wellingtons because I wanted it to be a special meal, as I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's important to me that you're all there tomorrow."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Simon does not reply.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>July 29, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson hosts the fatal mushroom lunch at her home in Leongatha.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and her husband Ian, arrive just after noon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They share in pleasant conversation before Erin Patterson tells the lie that she's been diagnosed with cancer and asks for advice on telling her children. The guests give their advice, offer their well-wishes and pray.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Later that night, Don and Gail Patterson and Heather and Ian Wilkinson become incredibly sick with what they thought was gastro.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>July 30, 2023</span></strong><span> - Don and Gail Patterson go by ambulance to Korumburra Hospital in the morning, before being transported to Dandenong Hospital in the evening.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Simon Patterson takes Heather and Ian Wilkinson to Leongatha Hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Erin Patterson says she suffers from diarrhoea and nausea that began on the evening following the lunch. She drives her son to a flying lesson, which was later cancelled, and CCTV shows her going to a service station, where she spends nine seconds in the bathroom, before purchasing a ham and cheese toastie, a sweet chilli chicken wrap and some lollies</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She then serves her children leftovers from the beef Wellington meal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>July 31, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson goes to Leongatha Hospital about 8.05am and leaves about 8.10am, before returning at 9.48am.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/doctor-chris-webster-doctor-who-treated-erin-patterson-after-lunch-reveals-initial-suspicions/0702c661-f22c-4f6f-8fbd-e3de8c1ab1a1"><strong><span>'She's evil': Doctor who treated Erin Patterson reveals initial suspicions</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She is later taken to Monash Medical Centre by ambulance. Her children are also brought to hospital as a precaution.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A local police officer is sent to get the beef Wellington leftovers from a bin at Erin Patterson's home. They are later sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra by taxi to be investigated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 1, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson is discharged from Monash Medical Centre.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 2, 2023</span></strong><span> - As seen on CCTV, Erin Patterson drives her red car to the Koonwarra Transfer Station and Landfill and dumps her food dehydrator in an e-waste bin.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Monash Council begins attending Asian grocery stores in Melbourne's south-east to try to find mushrooms matching Erin Patterson's description.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 3, 2023</span></strong><span> - Victoria Police's Homicide Squad launches an investigation into the lunch.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-mushroom-poisoning-trial-verdict-update/931c6e69-9054-4bed-ab50-0af86c3e52d9"><strong><span>Footage shows mushroom killer buy snacks at petrol station after poisonings</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 4, 2023</span></strong><span> - Heather Wilkinson dies in hospital at 2.50am before Gail Patterson dies in hospital at 5.55pm.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Erin Patterson's Sunbeam food dehydrator is retrieved from the e-waste bin at Koonwarra Transfer Station and Landfill by police.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 5, 2023</span></strong><span> - Homicide detectives search Erin Patterson's Leongatha home. Police seize a number of items from her house - including computers and mobile phones. She is questioned and released.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Don Patterson dies in hospital at 11.30pm.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 7, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson speaks to </span><em><span>A Current Affair</span></em><span> outside her home, saying, "It's a tragedy what's happened," while wiping her eyes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 10, 2023</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/leongatha-mushroom-poisoning-updates-erin-patterson-meets-with-lawyers-as-investigations-continue-into-toxic-mushroom-deaths/cdbc3d7e-0581-4551-92ec-eeced12b8714" target="_blank"><span>travels to Melbourne to speak with a lawyer</span></a><span>. She is seen leaving the offices of one of Melbourne's top lawyers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 11, 2023</span></strong><span> - The Department of Health finishes investigating and is unable to identify any stores selling mushrooms matching Erin's description.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 31, 2023</span></strong><span> - </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/leongatha-mushroom-incident-public-memorial-held-for-victims-of-deadly-lunch/eed4e5ad-1173-4821-ae94-7cc11fed0c28" target="_blank"><span>Simon Patterson leads a public memorial service</span></a><span> honouring his parents, which is attended by hundreds of people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>September 11, 2023</span></strong><span> - </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mushroom-poisoning-survivor-pastor-ian-wilkinson-released-from-hospital/2b55aef6-7402-43bc-93a6-6bbff347fa37" target="_blank"><span>Ian Wilkinson is released from hospital</span></a><span>, with his family putting out a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>November 2, 2023</span></strong><span> - Police execute another search warrant at Erin Patterson's home and she is charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder over the lunch on July 29.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She is also </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mushroom-poisoning-deaths-update-erin-patterson-allegedly-tried-to-kill-ex-partner-three-times-before-mushroom-meal/17bb031b-54d4-418c-a268-8efa72d1de6f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><span>charged with three counts of attempted murder</span></a><span> for allegedly attempting to kill Simon Patterson</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>November 3, 2023</span></strong><span> - </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mushroom-poisoning-deaths-update-erin-patterson-allegedly-tried-to-kill-ex-partner-three-times-before-mushroom-meal/17bb031b-54d4-418c-a268-8efa72d1de6f" target="_blank"><span>Erin Patterson faces Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court</span></a><span> for the first time and is remanded into custody.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>December 23, 2023</span></strong><span> - Police return to Erin Patterson's Leongatha house after </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-news-thieves-ransack-mushroom-cook-murder-accused-erin-pattersons-home/b355a51d-fecc-4beb-962e-62c2b373982f" target="_blank"><span>it was ransacked by thieves</span></a><span> while she was in custody.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>March 2024</span></strong><span> - </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-accused-mushroom-killer-reportedly-moved-to-protected-unit/83b66383-d0a1-47ee-a16a-bba5c8661830" target="_blank"><span>Erin Patterson is reportedly moved to a secure unit</span></a><span> at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre to protect her from other inmates.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>April 22, 2024</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson faces Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court by video link from prison to request her case be heard close to her home in Morwell.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Patterson's barrister, Colin Mandy SC, said Patterson wanted the committal to be held close to her home.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's not only a matter of principle, and there are powerful reasons for the committal having to take place in Ms Patterson's local community," Mandy said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>May 7, 2024</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-accused-mushroom-killer-pleads-not-guilty/620944b0-1a94-4d92-88c2-2dce827ab645#:~:text=Patterson%20was%20remanded%20in%20custody,not%20happen%20until%20next%20year." target="_blank"><span>pleads not guilty to eight charges</span></a><span> in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court, appearing via video link from prison.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She elects not to have a committal, fast-tracking her court process to face trial at the Supreme Court of Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>August 21, 2024</span></strong><span> - The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-trial-date-set-for-accused-triple-murderer-in-regional-victorian-town/da560e45-21c7-4fb3-bd6b-faf7aa1d2057" target="_blank"><span>trial date is set</span></a><span> for April 2025 in Morwell.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>April 29, 2025</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson's trial begins in Morwell and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/erin-patterson-jury-empanelled-in-mushroom-triple-murder-trial/d098ae15-1a83-44af-8d88-46a7643dd12b" target="_blank"><span>the Director of Public Prosecutions drops charges</span></a><span> against Erin Patterson relating to Simon Patterson.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Justice Christopher Beale tells the jury to put the three attempted murder charges relating to her former husband "out of (their) minds".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Those charges have been discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions," he told the jury.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>June 2, 2025</span></strong><span> - Erin Patterson takes the stand for the first time to give evidence in her own trial</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>June 30, 2025</span></strong><span> - The jury is balloted down to 12 people, who begin deliberating.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>July 7, 2025</span></strong><span> - The jury returns its guilty verdicts.</span></div></div>