Erin Patterson: The ‘pathological’ lies that got the mushroom killer fired from her air traffic control job
Convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson was fired from her air traffic control job after telling “pathological” lies, with colleagues labelling her “manipulative” and “aggressive”.
Patterson was part of Airservices Australia’s traffic control course in Melbourne for a period of ten months in 2001.
Management grew suspicious of Patterson, and confirmed through CCTV footage that she was regularly leaving work early but still claiming the time.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The air traffic controller told the Herald Sun that Patterson continued to lie until she was shown time-stamped footage from the car park.
She was later sacked from the job.
A former colleague said Patterson was a “ritual, habitual and pathological liar” and that “she would just say anything, just to get away with anything”.
Patterson’s maiden name, Scutter, was also the source of a training group nickname, “Scutter the Nutter”.
The former colleague also said Patterson was pursued by several of the men on staff, who became “smitten” with her.
“She managed to get guys wrapped around her little finger,” the colleague said.
Another colleague said she was also called “crazy Erin” and that “something was not quite right, she was a bit strange”.
“She would say some weird off the cuff things … she wasn’t a nice person, she just wasn’t someone you connected too,” the second colleague said.
They said she was very secretive about her family, and called her a “loner” who “didn’t engage with anyone”.
Patterson’s former manager spoke the The Australian and said though she was competent at the job, there were still some “issues” with her.
“She was colourful. Smart, very smart. Almost too smart. She was no dummy,” the former manager said.
Patterson was convicted of triple murder on Monday after lacing a beef wellington lunch with death cap mushrooms.
She killed her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson and her estranged husband’s aunt, Heather Wilkinson.
The mass murderer is still married to Simon Patterson, though the pair separated in 2015.
The court is set to provide a sentencing date soon, after which, Patterson’s legal team will have 28 days to lodge an appeal.
