The trial of Erin Patterson, the woman convicted of murdering three members of her husband’s family, has brought to light a disturbing series of texts that reveal a breakdown in their marriage.
The messages, sent to a Facebook chat group, show Patterson’s true feelings about her husband Simon and his family, and provide a stark insight into the decline of their relationships.
A Troubled Relationship
Patterson, 50, was found guilty of murdering three members of her husband’s family and the attempted murder of a fourth with a deadly beef wellington lunch.
The texts, sent in December 2022, show that Patterson was frustrated with her husband and his family, and felt that they were not supporting her.
She called her husband a “deadbeat” and criticized his family for not holding him accountable for his actions.
A History of Conflict
The jury heard that Patterson and her husband had separated in 2015, but had maintained an amicable relationship until the latter half of 2022.
However, the texts reveal a deeper conflict between Patterson and her in-laws. Patterson felt that they were not supporting her and were instead taking her husband’s side.
She wrote that they had never asked her if she was okay or needed help since the separation, and that they had been having her husband over for dinner every night for three months.
A Web of Deceit
The prosecution argued that the texts showed that Patterson was leading a “duplicitous life” and that she had expressed her “real feelings” towards her husband’s family to her online friends.
However, the defense argued that the texts were just a minor blowup and that Patterson was venting to a supportive group of friends.
They suggested that the prosecution was trying to use the texts to explain why Patterson would deliberately poison the beef wellington, but that this argument was unpersuasive.
The Consequences of a Deadly Lunch
The beef wellington lunch, which was served on July 29, 2023, was laced with death cap mushrooms, a poisonous fungus that can be fatal if ingested.
Three members of Patterson’s husband’s family died as a result of eating the lunch, and a fourth was left in a critical condition.
The trial has brought to light a disturbing series of events that led to the tragic deaths, and has raised questions about the nature of Patterson’s relationship with her husband and his family.
A Life of Secrets and Lies
The texts reveal a complex web of secrets and lies that surrounded Patterson’s relationship with her husband and his family.
They show that Patterson was frustrated with her husband and felt that he was not supporting her, and that she was angry with his family for not holding him accountable. The prosecution argued that this anger and frustration ultimately led to the tragic events that unfolded, but the defense argued that the texts were just a minor part of a larger story.
The Verdict
Patterson was found guilty of the murders and will return to court at a later date. The trial has raised questions about the nature of relationships and the consequences of keeping secrets and telling lies.
It has also highlighted the dangers of the death cap mushroom and the importance of being aware of the risks associated with it.
As the case continues to unfold, it is clear that the truth behind the tragic events that occurred will be slowly revealed, and that justice will be served.