Australian Woman on Trial for Poisoning Former In-Laws with Mushrooms

AUAustralia|

Erin Patterson, 50, is currently on trial in Australia, facing allegations of poisoning three people, including her former in-laws, with toxic mushrooms during a July 2023 luncheon. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which prosecutors claim stem from her intentional preparation of a Beef Wellington dish laced with the harmful Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom. Among the deceased are her estranged husband Simon Patterson's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson.

The case has drawn comparisons to India's infamous "Kerala cyanide murders," where a woman was charged with the deaths of six family members over several years. Patricia's defense argues that the fatalities were accidental, despite her admitting to lying during the investigation. During the trial, Patterson described her troubled relationship with Simon, highlighting emotional struggles and communication issues that plagued their marriage.

Authorities believe Patterson sourced the deadly mushrooms based on online information, raising questions about intent and premeditation in her case.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Australia

One in Three Australian Men Admit to Domestic Violence, Study Finds

A groundbreaking study from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reveals that one in three Australian men has admitted to committing intimate partner violence (IPV). The Ten To Men study, which involved about 26,000 participants since its inception in 2013, highlights the urgent need for effective interventions. Notably, the research indicates that nurturing affectionate father-son relationships could lower the risk of men committing IPV by up to 48%. Additional findings show that men with strong social support networks were 26% less likely to report engaging in IPV. Conversely, men experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to commit violence, with a 62% increase noted among those with moderate symptoms. The report emphasized the importance of understanding various protective and risk factors in addressing IPV. Liz Neville, AIFS director, underscored the need for effective preventative measures, stating, “Each act of violence harms individuals, families and communities.” The findings will guide future government policies aimed at addressing gender-based violence in Australia.
AUAustralia

Mysterious Cosmic Object Emitting X-Rays and Radio Waves Discovered

Astronomers have identified a novel cosmic phenomenon named ASKAP J1832-0911, located about 15,000 light-years from Earth. This unique object emits both intense X-rays and strong radio flashes in a pattern that has never been observed before, transmitting for two minutes every 44 minutes. ASKAP J1832-0911 belongs to the class of "long-period radio transients" (LPTs), a category characterized by prolonged radio signal emissions. According to NASA, the object's emissions are thousands of times longer than typical pulsar pulses. Researchers, including team leader Zieng Wang from Curtin University, noted that the chance finding was akin to “discovering a needle in a haystack,” as observations from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory flawlessly coincided with the ASKAP radio telescope's coverage of the night sky. While the precise classification of ASKAP J1832-0911 remains uncertain, it is suggested that it may be a dead star or possibly a magnetar—a neutron star with an exceptionally strong magnetic field. Scientists continue to investigate the mechanisms behind its sporadic emissions.
AUAustralia

Astronomers Discover Mysterious Cosmic Object Emitting Unexplained Signals

Astronomers have identified a mysterious cosmic object, named ASKAP J1832-0911, which emits unusual pulses of radio waves and X-rays every 44 minutes. Detected by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and confirmed by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the nature of this object remains a subject of speculation, according to Andy Wang, an astronomer at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. The researchers suggest that ASKAP J1832-0911 might be a magnetar or part of a binary star system involving a highly magnetized white dwarf, although these theories do not fully explain the observed phenomena. The findings were published on May 28 in the journal Nature. Wang stated, "This object is unlike anything we have seen before," emphasizing the potential for discovering new physics. Unlike traditional pulsars, which release signals every few seconds or milliseconds, this long-period transient (LPT) challenges existing astrophysical models, with researchers suggesting that more observations could uncover additional similar objects. The discovery is viewed as a significant step in understanding the complexities of stellar evolution.
AUAustralia