- New details about objects found by sniffer dogs
- Erin Patterson, 49, was arrested in November.
- Mother of two children remains behind bars
- READ MORE: Cops confiscate computers in police raids on mushroom chef’s home
New details have emerged about items found by technology-sniffing dogs at the home of accused murder mushroom chef Erin Patterson.
Patterson, 49, was arrested at her home in Leongatha, east of Victoria, and charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder on November 2.
Australian Federal Police specialist sniffer dogs arrived at the home just six hours later to assist with a search warrant being carried out by Victoria Police.
One of the dogs, Georgia, found a USB, a secure micro digital card and a SIM card, a Senate hearing was told Tuesday night.
“Technology detection dog Alma found a mobile phone, five iPads, a trail camera, a secure digital card and a smart watch,” AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw told AFP.
“These were not found during the initial searches carried out by officers.”
A police officer and a technology detection dog are seen at Patterson’s home on November 2.
The dogs were seen exploring various places in the house, including a back terrace.
The accused mushroom chef (pictured) was arrested on November 2 and remains behind bars
Canines are considered the most elite sniffer dogs due to their ability to detect the micron-thin layer that protects computer circuit boards.
Their noses are so sensitive that they can even find small SIM or memory cards buried in walls or hidden among fruits, says AFP.
Patterson remains behind bars while police prepare their evidence file, which will include analysis of a computer seized during the search.
It is expected to be presented on March 25, after a six-week postponement.
The three counts of murder and two of attempted murder relate to a lunch of beef Wellington allegedly mixed with mushrooms served by Patterson at his home in Leongatha, in Victoria’s South Gippsland Shire, on July 29.
The other three attempted murder charges relate to Simon, 48, after he fell ill after eating on three occasions between 2021 and 2022.
Court documents revealed that Patterson is accused of trying to kill Simon on four occasions: between November 16 and 17, 2021, between May 25 and 27, 2022, on September 6, 2022 and at lunch mushrooms in July 2023.
It is understood Simon pulled out of the July 29 lunch at the last minute.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one to survive the deadly lunch, which claimed the life of his wife Heather Wilkinson, 66. He spent almost two months in the hospital.
Gail Patterson and her brother-in-law Don Patterson, both in their 70s, also died after the lunch.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one to survive the deadly lunch, which claimed the life of his wife Heather Wilkinson, 66.
He spent seven weeks in the hospital, including time in the intensive care unit.
Gail Patterson and her brother-in-law Don Patterson, both in their 70s, also died.
Patterson is currently behind bars at Victoria’s largest women’s prison, the notorious Dame Phyllis Frost Center in Melbourne’s industrial western suburbs.
More to come.