The Mushroom Cook

True Crime Australia

The story of a seemingly ordinary family lunch that turned out to be anything but normal. Follow the journalists piecing together the puzzle of how three people died after sitting down to share a meal in the small Australian town of Leongatha, Victoria. With the woman who prepared that meal now accused of murder, The Mushroom Cook explores the story so far – and reports on the court hearings as Erin Patterson faces trial. For more visit: themushroomcook.com.au To unlock bonus content from The Mushroom Cook, and listen to episodes early and ad free, subscribe to Crime X+ on Apple Podcasts, or theheraldsun.com.au   The Mushroom Cook will be released on Crime X+ from Friday 29 March. Follow us on socials for updates and more content on The Mushroom Cook and other award-winning podcasts Crime X+: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok  Herald Sun: Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

  • 11 minutes 47 seconds
    The Appeal: The grounds

    As the year draws to a close, the team explores the latest updates in the ongoing Mushroom Cook saga.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

     

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 November 2025, 7:20 am
  • 21 minutes 49 seconds
    The Appeal: The case continues

    It's confirmed. Triple murderer Erin Patterson will appeal her convictions and Crown prosecutors will appeal her sentence. The Mushroom Cook team sits down with a special guest to unpack what this all means.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    9 October 2025, 1:30 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    The Trial: The sentence and the statement

    Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has learnt her fate, with Justice Christopher Beale sentencing the triple murderer to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years. His words were live-streamed to the public, but from the steps of the courthouse, sole survivor Ian Wilkinson had some words of his own.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 September 2025, 7:10 am
  • 9 minutes 35 seconds
    The "brilliant but unhinged" Erin Scutter

    Erin Patterson is awaiting sentence. But as the world waits to hear her future, The Mushroom Cook team dives into her past.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 September 2025, 2:15 am
  • 20 minutes 2 seconds
    The Trial: Murder, mercy and misery

    In a Melbourne courtroom, triple murderer Erin Patterson was confronted by the loved ones of her victims as the prosecution pushed for the harshest possible sentence: life without parole. But the defence say the court should show the cold-blooded killer some mercy due to her harsh conditions behind bars.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 August 2025, 12:30 pm
  • 48 minutes 56 seconds
    The Trial: Inside the allegations Erin tried to poison Simon

    Veteran crime writer Anthony Dowsley is joined by court reporter Ashley Argoon to discuss allegations that Erin Patterson tried to poison her estranged husband on numerous occasions.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 August 2025, 6:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 42 seconds
    The Trial: The Record of Interview

    Shortly after the infamous mushroom lunch, Erin Patterson was interviewed by police - an interview we can now play to you. These are her words, and this is her voice.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more.

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 August 2025, 7:25 am
  • 19 minutes 29 seconds
    The Trial: What the jury didn't know

    A trip to the tip, a doctor's testimony and information on “common homicidal poisons” were all raised in pre-trial, but this evidence – and more – was kept secret from the jury. 

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 August 2025, 1:25 am
  • 10 minutes 13 seconds
    A money matter

    While Erin Patterson awaits sentencing over the mushroom lunch, another potential legal standoff is on the horizon.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 July 2025, 8:45 am
  • 14 minutes 19 seconds
    Bonus episode: Erin Patterson and other women who poison

    While we wait for further developments in the case of Erin Patterson, we bring you an episode of our sister show, Life and Crimes. In it, host Andrew Rule delves into women who poison.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    14 July 2025, 6:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 24 seconds
    Revelations, rulebreakers and reflections

    In the absence of the jury, many discussions took place. But with the trial over, we can lift the lid on the revelations we could not report and the rulebreakers that have landed themselves in hot water as we reflect on the past 11 weeks.

    The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton

    The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia.

    Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more

    Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed

    Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    11 July 2025, 5:30 am
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