Harrowing new details have emerged from the will of alleged mushroom poisoning victim Gail Patterson, a year after she and two loved ones died.
The former school office worker and her husband Don, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died within days of eating a suspected poisonous beef Wellington lunch. at the home of his daughter-in-law Erin Patterson on July 29 of last year.
Erin Patterson was arrested at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria’s Gippsland region, last November and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
A court document filed in Supreme Court states that Don Patterson would be the sole beneficiary of his wife Gail’s $212,679 estate. Herald of the Sun reported.
But since he also died after the alleged poisoning, his estate will be split evenly between his three sons: Simon, Erin’s ex-husband, Matthew and Nathan Patterson, and daughter Anna Terrington.
They will get An additional $53,239 each, on top of the $650,000 they recently received from their father’s $2.6 million estate.
It also emerged that Nathan and Anna had to prove that their father was dead, even though his succession had already been granted.
Her mother’s death certificate showed she died on August 4 last year, a day before her father died.
A sad detail has emerged from the will of alleged mushroom poisoning victim Gail Patterson, pictured with her husband Don, who also died after eating the same food.
As Don did not outlive his wife by 30 days, this triggered a review by the Supreme Court of Victoria.
“The probate office has reviewed your application. The following additional information is required,” an email read.
‘Submit a supplementary affidavit from the executor clarifying the status of the appointed executor ‘Donald Kenneth Patterson’.
‘The executor’s current affidavit and announcement contain inconsistent information.’
Erin Patterson, who is awaiting trial, received nothing in the will.
In Gail’s will, dated November 2, 2018, her assets were valued at $212,679.
This included more than $176,000 worth of stock, a $30,000 Kia van and a $5,000 Holden pickup truck.
Since his will has already been probated, the executors, Nathan and Anna, can divide the assets among the beneficiaries.
The executor’s affidavit said the “full death certificate showing the cause of death has not yet been finalised as the deceased’s death is subject to a coroner’s inquest.”
Erin Patterson (pictured) pleaded not guilty in May to three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The food consumed by the three people who died, which was cooked by Erin, allegedly contained deadly mushrooms.
Erin Patterson pleaded not guilty in May to three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The attempted murder charges relate to Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, who ate the meal but recovered after spending two months in hospital, and Simon, who was due to attend the lunch but pulled out at the last minute.
The other three attempted murder charges also relate to Simon, in the towns of Korumburra, Howqua and Wilsons Promontory, in November 2021, May 2022 and September 2022.
Patterson is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
(tags to translate)dailymail