What we know about Erin Patterson
Share this @internewscast.com

She is the woman at the centre of the trial that made headlines around the world, but, for many, the single mother from regional Victoria wouldn’t really fit the bill for the stereotypical murderer.

So who is the woman who carried out the killing of her in-laws?

Erin Patterson was found guilty by a jury of three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. (Marta Pascual Juanola)

Here’s what we know about Erin’s life before she committed murder.

What was Erin’s personal situation?

Patterson has two children – a son born in 2009 and a daughter born in 2014.

Her two children were living with her full-time up until she was taken into custody in November 2023.

She was separated but not divorced.

Erin (nee Erin Scutter) married Simon Patterson in 2007, after they met when they were both working for the City of Monash in 2004.

The pair separated and reunited a number of times before splitting permanently in 2015.

They lived in WA when they had their first child, before they moved back to Victoria.

After their separation, the pair continued to go on family holidays with their two children to places including South Africa, Botswana, Darwin, New Zealand and South Australia.

Erin Patterson and Simon Patterson. (Jason South)

Erin told the jury she was a “fundamental atheist” before meeting Simon, and had expected Simon to join her after they started dating, but “things happened in reverse and I became Christian”.

She also said she had been “fighting low self-esteem” for most of her adult life and said she had planned to have gastric bypass surgery after putting on weight.

What was Erin’s career?

Erin was not working and had deferred a place in a bachelor’s degree in nursing and midwifery at Federation University at the time of the fatal lunch in July 2023.

She told the jury her financial circumstances were “comfortable”.

“I could afford to go to university and I didn’t need to work a job at the same time,” she said.

Erin said she worked for the RSPCA at the City of Monash offices in Melbourne in 2004.

She also worked as an air traffic controller for a time, and opened her own book shop when she and Simon were living in Western Australia.

What were the details of Erin’s financial situation and inheritance?

When Erin was 32, in 2006, she inherited about $2 million from her grandmother’s estate and was gradually given the money over eight years.

Simon Patterson told the court Erin was generous with his family and gave several loans to Simon’s three siblings, including a $300,000 loan for his brother Matt to build a house, he said.

Erin also owned a second house in Mount Waverley in Melbourne’s south-east.

Erin lived at her home in Leongatha, a regional town in Gippsland, Victoria, which is about 135km south-east of Melbourne.

Erin Patterson's Leongatha home.
Erin Patterson’s Leongatha home. (Marta Pascual Juanola)

At the 2021 census, Leongatha had a population of 5869 people.

She previously lived in Western Australia and in Melbourne.

How did Erin know her victims?

Erin’s victims were her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian Wilkinson.

Ian is the only victim who survived the fatal mushroom lunch.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Justice Sotomayor Criticizes SCOTUS Education Department Decision

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, left, converses with President Donald Trump, right,…

Man Suspecting Wife of Infidelity Threatens Family and Children: District Attorney

Corey Dellinger (Lubbock County Detention Center). A man from Texas is currently…

Childcare Worker Reports Concerns about Suspected Child Predator

A former colleague of accused Melbourne paedophile Joshua Brown has told 9News…

Judge Inquires Why Evidence of Menendez Brothers’ Sexual Abuse Was Not Presented in Murder Trial

A judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court has demanded an explanation…

Daughter Neglects Ailing Mother to Focus on True Crime Blog

Elizabeth A. Drake (left) appears in court with her attorney for her…

Teenager allegedly declared ‘I’m a genuine killer’ following man’s stabbing: Authorities

Background: News footage captures the location where Michael James O’Malley was discovered…

Tragic Discovery: Missing 8-Year-Old Autistic Boy Found Dead, Suspect Detained

Ohio police confirmed they have someone in custody after a disabled 8-year-old…

Governor Noem Criticizes Judge Over Block on ‘Roving’ ICE Raids as DOJ Appeals

Background: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaking to Fox News Sunday on…

Gainesville Resident Accused of Assaulting Individual with Wooden Object in Copeland Park

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ronnie Lavern Walker, 65, was taken into…

News: Trio Detained Following Armed Kidnapping of a 7-Year-Old in Wisconsin

Police in Wisconsin arrested three men Saturday, in connection with the alleged…

Man Sentenced to Prison for Killing Father-in-Law in Child’s Presence

Inset: Ruben Pioquinto (Manatee County Jail). Background: Home in Bradenton, Florida, where…

Mother’s Partner Allowed Dangerous Situation for 6-Year-Old

Left to right: Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge Dave Stimpert at…