It’s been just over a month since Erin Patterson was found guilty of killing her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66. Now her ex-husband Simon Patterson is considering penning a book to share what it was like being married to the convicted killer.
“Patterson is not someone likely to tell all on 60 Minutes or CNN,” journalist John Ferguson writes in The Australian.
“Expect to see him take control of the narrative, possibly via a podcast and maybe a book, but his story and how it is told is still a work in progress and in his hands.”
After the verdict was returned on 7 July. One UK media outlet offered Simon almost $550,000 for an exclusive interview, which he reportedly denied. Simon, 50, requested access to daily transcripts from the trial. Which he was not able to follow at the time due to being a witness.
“Your Honour, would you be able to make available, after all the legal proceedings are finished, the transcripts of all those hearings,” he asked judge Christopher Beale.
“I am grieving a lot about all this stuff here, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
While the world is eager to hear from Simon, who was married to Erin from 2007 to 2015. Others believe he will never publicly share his side of the story.
Former detective Duncan McNab – the author of an upcoming book about the trial Recipe For Murder – tells Woman’s Day. “If I was giving the family advice, I would suggest they just stay quiet and try to rebuild their lives because at the heart of this there are two kids who have lost their grandparents, and they’ve effectively lost their mother.”
While no sentencing hearing date has been set for Patterson, Duncan expects she will receive life.
“I would suggest life without the possibility of parole if they can do that in Victoria,” he says.
“She’s 50 years old now, so I doubt she’ll be seeing life on the other side of the bars until she’s extremely old or dead.”
Sole survivor returns to church
Brave Ian Wilkinson, the only guest who survived the deadly lunch. Returned to lead a sermon at Korumburra Baptist Church in Victoria, Australia for the first time since Patterson was found guilty of killing his wife Heather.
The 71-year-old pastor was applauded by the congregation on 20 July before beginning his service.
“I should introduce myself… my name is Ian. I used to lead services here,” he told churchgoers.
“And I’m pleased to be back with you.”
Battle for the house
Just two-and-a-half weeks after the verdict was handed down, the Supreme Court issued a restraining order in relation to Patterson’s home in Leongatha. Where the lunch that killed three was served in July 2023.
This order was applied for by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Which is seeking to keep the five-bedroom house to cover any compensation claims made after sentencing. But the DPP are not the only ones wanting a slice of Patterson’s forever home, valued ata $1.2 million.
In April, just prior to the Supreme Court trial starting, Patterson’s defence team secured a mortgage over the home to cover her extensive legal fees.
