Memoir Announced in Wake of Mushroom Poisoning Case, Key Doctor Closes Practice
Simon Patterson, the estranged husband of convicted murderer Erin Patterson, is preparing to publish a memoir about his experiences. The announcement comes as Dr. Chris Webster, the physician who first alerted authorities to the fatal 2023 mushroom poisoning incident, has closed his Leongatha medical practice due to financial challenges.
Simon Patterson to Publish Memoir
Simon Patterson's media manager, Jessica O'Donnell, has confirmed he is developing a memoir. O'Donnell stated a formal announcement regarding a publisher and release timeline is "very imminent," potentially within weeks. The book would be Simon Patterson's first public account outside of courtroom testimony.
O'Donnell described the project as part of the "recovery phase of his experience." She declined to discuss the memoir's content, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
No publisher or specific release date has been announced, but the memoir is expected to be released after all legal proceedings conclude.
Background of the Criminal Case
Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering three people and the attempted murder of a fourth. The victims—Don Patterson, Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson—died after consuming a meal containing death cap mushrooms at a lunch in Leongatha, Victoria, in July 2023. Heather Wilkinson's husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived the poisoning.
In February 2024, Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years. Both Erin Patterson and the Crown prosecution have filed appeals; she is appealing her conviction, and the prosecution is appealing her sentence. No date has been set for appeal hearings.
During the trial, Simon Patterson testified that he had feared his wife was poisoning him through meals she prepared years after their separation. Prosecutors had initially charged Erin Patterson with attempting to kill her husband on three occasions in 2021 and 2022, but those charges were withdrawn before the trial. Justice Christopher Beale ordered the charges related to Simon Patterson be dropped.
Closure of Leongatha Healthcare
Separately, Dr. Chris Webster has closed his multi-doctor practice, Leongatha Healthcare, at its Koonwarra Road location. Dr. Webster stated financial difficulties made the clinic unviable. He plans to reopen a new practice as a sole practitioner in a different building in Leongatha within approximately three weeks, retaining ownership with his wife.
Dr. Webster attributed the financial strain to a regulatory action by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), which removed his right to supervise other doctors. The RACGP did not comment on his specific case but confirmed that general practitioners with conditions on their medical registration cannot supervise doctors in training.
The Medical Board of Australia imposed conditions on Dr. Webster's registration in September 2023, requiring him to complete a minimum of eight hours of one-on-one professional and ethics training and undertake mentoring sessions.
Connection Between Events
Dr. Webster was the physician who initiated the police investigation into the fatal mushroom poisoning. On July 31, 2023, he spoke with Erin Patterson at Leongatha Hospital when she presented with gastro-like symptoms. He contacted emergency services after she discharged herself rapidly.
Dr. Webster acknowledged the events following that hospital shift were challenging but stated that community support has been instrumental.
All clinic staff will receive their entitlements, and patients were informed of the closure.