Podbit · Crime, Conspiracy, Cults and Murder
Simon Patterson turned down Erin's lunch invitation the night before, saying he felt uncomfortable. After the verdict, a gag order lifted and he revealed he had turned it down because he believed she would poison him — and that he had fallen severely ill after eating her food on prior occasions.
Where this was said
At 1:02:28 · chapter starts 1:00:50
Ian Wilkinson survived the poisoning, but his body never returned to what it was. His liver function remains diminished and respiratory problems followed him out of hospital. He lost his wife of 44 years and the couple he described as the closest people to him after Heather and his family. [1] — Ian Wilkinson "It's a truly horrible thought to live with that somebody could decide to take her life. I only feel half alive without her." 1:00:55 Yet when given the chance to speak about Erin, he chose an unexpected path. He forgave her — publicly, carefully — but only for the harm that had been done to him personally. The harm done to the others was beyond his power to absolve. His one prayer for Erin was that she would 'use her time in jail wisely to become a better person.' Outside the courthouse, he thanked police and hospital workers, then offered the line that summed up the values he and the murdered families had lived by: 'I'd like to encourage all those involved to keep turning up and serving others.' [2] — Ian Wilkinson "What foolishness possesses a person to think that murder could be the solution to their problems, especially the murder of people who have …" 1:02:00 And he posed the question that sits at the centre of the case and has no answer: 'What foolishness possesses a person to think that murder could be the solution to their problems, especially the murder of people who have only good intentions towards her?'
Ian Wilkinson lost his wife Heather of 44 years to the poisoning and told the court he feels 'only half alive' without her, while his own health has been permanently diminished.
Ian Wilkinson, who lost his wife of 44 years, survived 54 days in hospital, received a liver transplant, and lives with permanent health damage, publicly forgave Erin Patterson — but only for the harm done to him, not for the three lives she took.
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