Erin Patterson’s phone connected to mobile towers near locations where death cap mushrooms were growing in the months leading up to a deadly lunch at her home, the Supreme Court has heard.
Phone data shows that Ms Patterson’s device was active near Outtrim on May 22, 2023 — one day after a mushroom expert posted online about the presence of death cap mushrooms on Neilson Street.
Ms Patterson is currently on trial, accused of serving a poisoned meal that resulted in the deaths of three of her relatives.
Stay updated on Monday’s court proceedings through our live blog.
The court also heard that Ms Patterson’s phone had earlier connected to towers near Loch on the same day, May 22. A separate sighting of death cap mushrooms had previously been reported in the Loch area in April 2023.
Residing in Leongatha, Ms Patterson is alleged to have used the toxic mushrooms to poison four family members during a meal on July 29, 2023.
Listen to our podcast for the trial’s major highlights.
A courtroom sketch shows an illustration of Erin Patterson’s face within the outline of a mushroom.
Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
On Monday, telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorell took the stand, having analyzed Ms Patterson’s mobile phone activity.
According to Dr Sorell, her phone was connected to the Loch South cell tower for approximately 43 minutes on the morning of May 22, indicating she remained in the vicinity during that time.
Later that day, the phone was almost exclusively linked to the Outtrim tower for around 25 minutes.
“That suggests the phone was likely stationary at that time,” Dr Sorell testified.
He also noted that Ms Patterson’s phone had registered in the Loch area on April 28, 2023, although the connection appeared to be brief.
Dr Sorell, who has testified in about 400 criminal trials, acknowledged the limitations of phone data analysis, especially when it comes to determining precise locations or user behavior.
“At best, the data can indicate the general area where the phone was located,” he said.
Ian Wilkinson survived the meal, but his wife Heather Wilkinson and in-laws Don and Gail Patterson died following the lunch in Leongatha. (Image: Supplied)
Earlier in the hearing, toxicology expert Christine McKenzie told the court she logged sightings of death cap mushrooms on iNaturalist to warn others who might confuse them with edible varieties.
She recounted spotting the poisonous mushrooms beneath an oak tree during a walk with her husband.
Throughout the trial, multiple witnesses stated that Ms Patterson claimed the mushrooms used in the beef Wellington dish came from a local supermarket and an unidentified Asian grocery store.
Ms Patterson denies intentionally poisoning Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Heather and Ian Wilkinson.
All four guests were hospitalized the day after the lunch; Ian Wilkinson was the sole survivor. Ms Patterson was also hospitalized but discharged shortly afterward.
The trial is ongoing.
