Aussie man asks question on many people's lips after Erin Patterson was found guilty of killing her family members with death cap mushrooms
On Monday afternoon, a jury found the mother-of-two guilty of killing her in-laws by serving them beef Wellingtons poisoned with death cap mushrooms during a lunch served at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023.
The trial, which lasted for two and a half months, captured the imagination of Aussies, not least of whom, Chris Kontos.
The Melbourne-based stylist took to his Instagram story following the verdict to ask one question many had been thinking.
'So, I'm jumping on here to give my opinion about the mushroom case. I think that it's sad that they died and stuff,' he said.
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'It's really terrible and clearly there's enough evidence for her to be convicted.'
Chris added that there was one important stakeholder who had seemingly been left out of the conversation.
'I'm actually concerned about the Mushroom Association of Australia,' Chris told his followers, referring to the Mushroom Growers Association of Australia.
Chris said that he wondered about a potential downturn in mushroom sales across the country, with the shocking case potentially turning people off the popular food.
'No one is thinking about them in this situation and what they're dealing with,' Chris said.
'No one is thinking about these poor people. Has anyone called them?' he asked, before adding: 'Are people off eating mushrooms?'
Daily Mail Australia reached out to the Mushroom Growers Association of Australia for comment.
A spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that in spite of the negative attention, mushroom sales have remained strong.
'We acknowledge the significant attention around the Erin Patterson case. Throughout, our industry has held firm and sales have been solid. This is a testament to our consumers' attitudes towards the safety of store-bought mushrooms,' the spokesperson said.
They added that the most important lesson learned in this case was the dangers of picking wild mushrooms.
'The message to Australians is clear: Do not pick or eat mushrooms growing in the wild. Some wild mushrooms are poisonous. It isn't worth the risk,' the spokesperson said.
'The only mushrooms you can be sure are safe are those which are from your local retailer or reputable farmers' markets.'
They added: 'Now that legal proceedings are concluding, the AMGA and the entire industry are focused on moving forward.
'We thank Australians for their support and remind them that commercially grown mushrooms remain a safe and healthy part of everyday meals. We extend our sincere condolences to the victims' families.'
Patterson's guilty verdict ends one of Australia's most intriguing homicide cases.
The mother-of-two sat defiantly throughout her 10-week trial, glaring at the media, members of the public, and the family of the people she murdered with callous disregard.
'I'm actually concerned about the Mushroom Association of Australia,' Chris told his 16,000 followers, referring to the Mushroom Growers Association of Australia. No one is thinking about them in this situation and what they're dealing with,' Chris said. Pictured; A beef Wellington - the dish Patterson used to poison her victims
Patterson had pleaded not guilty to the murders of Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson.
They died after consuming death caps in the beef Wellingtons during lunch at Patterson's Leongatha home in southeast Victoria on July 29, 2023.
Only Pastor Ian Wilkinson survived her plot – a blunder Patterson would live to regret, and will now serve time for after also being found guilty of attempting to murder him.
Sitting in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court, Patterson, dressed in a paisley shirt, appeared stunned as her fate was sealed on Monday afternoon.
Asked to deliver a verdict, the jury foreperson – one of only five women to sit on the original 15-person panel – simply stated, 'guilty'.
The verdict produced an audible gasp from those within the packed courtroom, which included members of the Patterson clan.
Patterson can now expect to spend the next decades of her life caged within the walls of Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Melbourne's west, alongside a rogue's gallery of female killers.
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