The way I raced to open my inbox as soon as the notification came up. Yes please do a full write-up on the case - I’m interested in your take! What I’m stuck on is the motive.
But absolutely to the broader commentary about our fascination with female murderers.
Sometimes I think this comes from a reductive view of femininity as ‘gentle and nurturing’, failing to view women as fully actualised human beings capable of dark deeds.
It’s almost like we’re shocked because she isn’t following the script but sadly male violence has become so commonplace it doesn’t shock us when it occurs.
I think you're exactly right. Male violence doesn't shock us... which is devastating. Their violence has to be so sickening to attract any media attention. Bloody depressing.
Thanks, Clare, for handling this subject with introspection and sensitivity. As a member of the Korumburra community it is really really tricky. There has been immense interest, some thoughtless comments, and media phone calls that have indeed been intrusive.
But it would be disingenuous of me to come down too hard on public interest in the case when I myself have often enjoyed a true crime podcast. Every case has a personal impact on people somewhere, doesn’t it?
But if you will indulge me for a tick, can I just leave a picture for you of those at the heart of this tragedy…?
The Pattersons and the Wilkinsons were just the best. Gail and Heather were avid community ‘givers’. It was almost impossible not to cross paths with them as they sprayed around their goodwill. And although I am not religious myself, it was always a pleasure working on a program with them, as they were so kind and gentle and - you would have loved them!
So this verdict is very tricky.
I am happy for Simon and Ian, whom I’m sure are feeling a sense of justice today. But the void is so immense.
I, like you, lay awake last night picturing Simon sitting the kids down and trying to make some sense of this with them and I don’t know how he did it.
This trial has been murky and fascinating, cruel and intense, and everybody loses. But by far the biggest losers are those two kids. xxx
Oh wow thank you for sharing this. My god those poor kids… and from everything reported it sounds like the Pattersons and Wilkinsons were remarkable people. It’s scary to think how quickly we forget the victims when we’re distracted by the spectacle of it all. The media stories foster the erosion of empathy… these people become characters rather than human beings. Thank you again for your perspective xxxx
Note and agree with all of your excellent commentary about the appropriateness of our interest in Erin’s case - but big fat yes please, share all your useless knowledge with us (whaaat is that true about the inmate?! Also the previous illnesses of her husband? 🤔)
OK, I knew absolutely nothing about this case until reading this post, and now I am fascinated. If you want to download all of your useless knowledge so I don't spend the rest of my work week trawling through the info myself, I am here to read it.
Also, maybe a good jumping off point for your next book? Inspo is everywhere, as they say
There’s so many questions that will never been answered though.
Like:
1. What is the status of the loans Erin gave out to Simons siblings? Are they fully repaid? Partially?
2. Why hasn’t her husband divorced her? Does he kinda think she might be innocent? Is that why?
3. Why wasn’t Erin questioned further on what she meant in the text message reply to Simon’s bailing “I’ve spent many hours this week preparing” - doesn’t that mean Erin prepared the mushroom pate ahead of time? There’s no way anyone would leave that til Saturday morning! Plus if Erin tasted it as much as she claimed on the Saturday morning why was she not browning up those white trousers by lunchtime?
4. If the “Tupperware dehydrated mushrooms” were chopped finely and pushed in with an egg flip why couldn’t the scientists see and identify two types of mushroom under the microscope? Is it because the second type had never been rehydrated at all and had actually been crushed into a powder
5. If she’d attempted this previously on Simon - why didn’t the doctors pick up mushroom poisoning on those occasions? Were the previous attempts with a different type of foodstuff?
As you MIGHT be able to tell, I’m fascinated too. If you form a support club let me know - we can google pics of Rach and Stocky and funkey Tom together. That is what is written here.
I’m so invested in Rach and Stocky, and Kristian Silva and his baby! And of course funky Tom. So many questions… I felt like barging into the courtroom with my own list. I’m obsessed with the amount of information those lawyers must have to keep in their heads at all times… and how carefully they have to tread. Nanette Rogers sounds like a BOSS
Just couldn’t believe the verdict was guilty as I could not fathom a motive and why she ever thought she could get away with it? Also a woman of 56? I would understand that piece being about a 76 yr old or even a 66 yr old. I don’t know maybe because I am early 50s and have never felt busier etc. This would not resonate with me. I am not in my 30s I guess! Thanks for another great piece of writing from you tho!
Another true crime story that gained intense interest was Baby Reindeer. There are others too. I think the interest stems from the fact that we all know women with abnormal psychologies - in workplaces, schools, families- society doesn’t intervene to support these people and protect people around them. Teachers are powerless to get pupils with obvious psychological problems support. Police are powerless to protect victims, they only uphold the law. People with psychological abnormalities often don’t trust doctors- so they don’t seek clinical support. Managers don’t know how to manage. There is a massive cost to society and a void of societal support to both victims and perpetrators.
You’re not wrong about the white trousers! That hadn’t even occurred to me.
That aside, thank you for writing about this with grace. I have also been pulled in by the case (and I think the MCD pod team have done an excellent job of turning the focus onto the judicial system and their experiences reporting on this), but I also feel very on the fence about the popularity of true crime and the way it’s sometimes spoken about, with little regard for victims and families.
The way I raced to open my inbox as soon as the notification came up. Yes please do a full write-up on the case - I’m interested in your take! What I’m stuck on is the motive.
But absolutely to the broader commentary about our fascination with female murderers.
Sometimes I think this comes from a reductive view of femininity as ‘gentle and nurturing’, failing to view women as fully actualised human beings capable of dark deeds.
It’s almost like we’re shocked because she isn’t following the script but sadly male violence has become so commonplace it doesn’t shock us when it occurs.
I think you're exactly right. Male violence doesn't shock us... which is devastating. Their violence has to be so sickening to attract any media attention. Bloody depressing.
It really is.
Thanks, Clare, for handling this subject with introspection and sensitivity. As a member of the Korumburra community it is really really tricky. There has been immense interest, some thoughtless comments, and media phone calls that have indeed been intrusive.
But it would be disingenuous of me to come down too hard on public interest in the case when I myself have often enjoyed a true crime podcast. Every case has a personal impact on people somewhere, doesn’t it?
But if you will indulge me for a tick, can I just leave a picture for you of those at the heart of this tragedy…?
The Pattersons and the Wilkinsons were just the best. Gail and Heather were avid community ‘givers’. It was almost impossible not to cross paths with them as they sprayed around their goodwill. And although I am not religious myself, it was always a pleasure working on a program with them, as they were so kind and gentle and - you would have loved them!
So this verdict is very tricky.
I am happy for Simon and Ian, whom I’m sure are feeling a sense of justice today. But the void is so immense.
I, like you, lay awake last night picturing Simon sitting the kids down and trying to make some sense of this with them and I don’t know how he did it.
This trial has been murky and fascinating, cruel and intense, and everybody loses. But by far the biggest losers are those two kids. xxx
Oh wow thank you for sharing this. My god those poor kids… and from everything reported it sounds like the Pattersons and Wilkinsons were remarkable people. It’s scary to think how quickly we forget the victims when we’re distracted by the spectacle of it all. The media stories foster the erosion of empathy… these people become characters rather than human beings. Thank you again for your perspective xxxx
No problems. Sorry you had a down week kiddo. You are an immensely good writer and a great contributor to the social fabric of our society. ❤️❤️
Note and agree with all of your excellent commentary about the appropriateness of our interest in Erin’s case - but big fat yes please, share all your useless knowledge with us (whaaat is that true about the inmate?! Also the previous illnesses of her husband? 🤔)
OK, I knew absolutely nothing about this case until reading this post, and now I am fascinated. If you want to download all of your useless knowledge so I don't spend the rest of my work week trawling through the info myself, I am here to read it.
Also, maybe a good jumping off point for your next book? Inspo is everywhere, as they say
Just gotta stop and say I LOVED the Safekeep also!
Please write a full write up!
I would happily read more about the mushroom case… yes, please!
There’s so many questions that will never been answered though.
Like:
1. What is the status of the loans Erin gave out to Simons siblings? Are they fully repaid? Partially?
2. Why hasn’t her husband divorced her? Does he kinda think she might be innocent? Is that why?
3. Why wasn’t Erin questioned further on what she meant in the text message reply to Simon’s bailing “I’ve spent many hours this week preparing” - doesn’t that mean Erin prepared the mushroom pate ahead of time? There’s no way anyone would leave that til Saturday morning! Plus if Erin tasted it as much as she claimed on the Saturday morning why was she not browning up those white trousers by lunchtime?
4. If the “Tupperware dehydrated mushrooms” were chopped finely and pushed in with an egg flip why couldn’t the scientists see and identify two types of mushroom under the microscope? Is it because the second type had never been rehydrated at all and had actually been crushed into a powder
5. If she’d attempted this previously on Simon - why didn’t the doctors pick up mushroom poisoning on those occasions? Were the previous attempts with a different type of foodstuff?
As you MIGHT be able to tell, I’m fascinated too. If you form a support club let me know - we can google pics of Rach and Stocky and funkey Tom together. That is what is written here.
I’m so invested in Rach and Stocky, and Kristian Silva and his baby! And of course funky Tom. So many questions… I felt like barging into the courtroom with my own list. I’m obsessed with the amount of information those lawyers must have to keep in their heads at all times… and how carefully they have to tread. Nanette Rogers sounds like a BOSS
Just couldn’t believe the verdict was guilty as I could not fathom a motive and why she ever thought she could get away with it? Also a woman of 56? I would understand that piece being about a 76 yr old or even a 66 yr old. I don’t know maybe because I am early 50s and have never felt busier etc. This would not resonate with me. I am not in my 30s I guess! Thanks for another great piece of writing from you tho!
I have been listening obsessively to the ABC podcast on this topic but I’m a bit behind. I am VERY interested to read more Claire.
Yes please on a Mushies deep dive!
Another true crime story that gained intense interest was Baby Reindeer. There are others too. I think the interest stems from the fact that we all know women with abnormal psychologies - in workplaces, schools, families- society doesn’t intervene to support these people and protect people around them. Teachers are powerless to get pupils with obvious psychological problems support. Police are powerless to protect victims, they only uphold the law. People with psychological abnormalities often don’t trust doctors- so they don’t seek clinical support. Managers don’t know how to manage. There is a massive cost to society and a void of societal support to both victims and perpetrators.
You’re not wrong about the white trousers! That hadn’t even occurred to me.
That aside, thank you for writing about this with grace. I have also been pulled in by the case (and I think the MCD pod team have done an excellent job of turning the focus onto the judicial system and their experiences reporting on this), but I also feel very on the fence about the popularity of true crime and the way it’s sometimes spoken about, with little regard for victims and families.
Love it Clare, well done you.
I want to hear more about your thoughts on the mushroom trial! I am endlessly fascinated by it
I’ll read anything you write Clare.