Who is Erin Patterson?published at 06:21 British Summer Time
06:21 BST
Simon Atkinson
Reporting from Morwell
Erin Trudi Patterson, who turned 50 while awaiting trial, has had a varied career, including as an accountant, an air traffic controller and an animal welfare worker – where, in the early 2000s, she met Simon Patterson.
In court, Simon spoke of her as a “quite witty”, “funny” and “very intelligent” woman – and of a friendship that slowly turned romantic.
They married in 2007 and had their first of two children soon after. And though they separated in 2015, they remain married today – despite what was portrayed in court as an often fractious relationship.
Erin helped out at the church Simon attended, edited a local community newsletter and – the trial heard – joined true crime Facebook groups.
Financially, Erin told the court she was very comfortable. The jury heard of generous inheritances from her grandmother and her mother and a portfolio of properties – including the Leongatha home where she served the fateful lunch.
In another nod to Erin’s wealth, the jury also heard of cash loans to family totalling over A$1m (£483,000), with very relaxed repayment plans.
Erin told the court that at the start of 2023, she had been accepted into a bachelor of nursing and midwifery, which she’d chosen to defer for a year.
Life, however, has panned out very differently.