Erin Patterson has been sentenced to at least 33 years in prison for poisoning her relatives with a toxic meal. A judge described her actions as an "enormous betrayal" during the sentencing on Monday. Patterson, a resident of Leongatha, invited her family over for lunch on July 29, 2023, where she served beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms.

Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale imposed three life sentences for the murders of her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson. Additionally, Patterson received a 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, the only guest who survived the meal. He spent weeks recovering in the hospital after the incident.

Despite the severity of her crimes, Patterson was not given the maximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole. Instead, Justice Beale set a non-parole period of 33 years, which means she could be eligible for release in 2056 when she is 82 years old. The judge noted that Patterson had already faced harsh conditions in custody, including the possibility of solitary confinement, which influenced his decision.

The courtroom was packed with media and spectators as Patterson was brought in for sentencing. She appeared somber, wearing a paisley top and brown jacket, and showed little emotion as the judge announced her sentence.

After the hearing, Ian Wilkinson spoke to reporters outside the Supreme Court. He expressed gratitude to Victoria Police for their thorough investigation, stating, "They brought to light the truth of what happened with the death of three good people." He also thanked the health services that cared for him and the others affected by the poisoning.

Wilkinson encouraged kindness within the community, saying, "I'd like to encourage everybody to be kind to each other."

The case has drawn significant attention in Australia, becoming one of the most discussed incidents in recent years. Following the lunch, all four guests fell ill, with Heather and Gail dying on August 4 and Don Patterson passing away the next day. The jury found Patterson guilty of murder and attempted murder, despite the prosecution not alleging intent to kill.