I've learned that a woman, Erin Patterson, who was found guilty of murdering three relatives with poisoned food, had also allegedly tried to harm her husband, Simon Patterson, multiple times before the fatal incident. These allegations were not part of her trial but have now been made public.

Court documents revealed that Simon Patterson believed his wife had been trying to poison him for years. He described several instances where he became very ill after eating food prepared by her. One time, he was so sick he fell into a coma and his family was told he might not survive. Another time, after eating a vegetable wrap, he experienced severe symptoms including slurred speech and loss of muscle control, leading to hospitalization.

A friend, who is a doctor, suggested Simon Patterson keep a food diary to understand what was making him so unwell. It was during this time that Simon began to suspect his wife was responsible. He even mentioned a batch of cookies, supposedly baked by their daughter, that he feared were tainted by his wife. Investigators found information on Patterson's computer about toxins, and it was suspected that rat poison might have been used on at least one occasion.

Following these suspicions, Simon Patterson changed his medical power of attorney to exclude his wife and shared his fears with some family members. His sister, Anna Terrington, had believed her brother and was worried about the lunch gathering where the fatal poisoning occurred. She had tried to warn her parents, who were among those who died. Simon Patterson expressed his sorrow for not telling the family sooner, believing he was the only target.

The court also heard about other details, such as Patterson visiting a local dump the afternoon of the fatal lunch, though what she disposed of is unknown. Days after the lunch, she reportedly went to the same dump to get rid of a food dehydrator. Additionally, a social media post from years earlier, where Patterson claimed her cat ate mushrooms and became sick, was presented as evidence of her interest in poisonous mushrooms, even though she did not own a cat. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled.

Original article (coma) (toxins)

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information provided in this article. It details past events and allegations without offering any steps or guidance for the reader to take.

Educational Depth: The article provides some educational depth by illustrating the potential for poisoning within a domestic setting and the investigative steps taken, such as the use of a food diary and computer analysis for toxins. However, it does not delve deeply into the "how" or "why" of the poisoning methods or the psychological underpinnings of such actions.

Personal Relevance: The article has limited personal relevance for most readers. While it highlights a disturbing criminal case, it does not offer direct advice or information that would typically impact a person's daily life, finances, or immediate safety in a proactive way. The cautionary tale of domestic poisoning is a general concern but not a specific, actionable threat for the average reader.

Public Service Function: This article does not serve a public service function. It reports on a criminal case and its alleged preceding events without providing official warnings, safety advice, emergency contacts, or useful public tools. It functions as a news report rather than a guide for public well-being.

Practicality of Advice: No advice is offered in the article, so its practicality cannot be assessed.

Long-Term Impact: The article does not offer advice or information that would have a lasting positive impact on a reader's life in terms of planning, saving, or future protection. Its value is primarily in informing about a specific event.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article could evoke feelings of shock, sadness, and perhaps fear due to the nature of the events described. However, it does not offer coping mechanisms or strategies to manage these emotions, potentially leaving readers feeling unsettled without providing any sense of empowerment or hope.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The language used is factual and reportorial, not indicative of clickbait or ad-driven tactics. It presents the information directly without sensationalism.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article missed opportunities to provide valuable information. For instance, it could have included general advice on recognizing signs of poisoning, what steps to take if one suspects poisoning, or resources for domestic abuse victims. It could also have offered information on food safety beyond the context of criminal intent, or guidance on how to approach suspicions of harm within a family. A missed chance to learn more could be to research general toxicology or resources for reporting suspicious activity to authorities.

The text uses strong words to create a negative image of Erin Patterson. For example, it says she was "found guilty of murdering three relatives with poisoned food." This phrasing immediately labels her as a murderer and uses the word "poisoned" to make the act sound more sinister. This helps to paint her as a dangerous criminal from the start, influencing how the reader perceives all subsequent information.

The text presents allegations as established facts without clear distinction. It states, "These allegations were not part of her trial but have now been made public." However, later it says, "It was suspected that rat poison might have been used on at least one occasion." The word "suspected" indicates uncertainty, but it is presented alongside more definitive statements, potentially misleading the reader into believing these suspicions are proven facts.

The text uses passive voice to obscure who performed certain actions. For instance, it says, "It was suspected that rat poison might have been used on at least one occasion." This phrasing avoids stating who suspected this or who might have used the poison. It also says, "information on Patterson's computer about toxins" was found, without specifying who found it or how it was discovered, making the discovery seem more objective and less tied to specific investigative actions.

The text selectively presents information to build a case against Erin Patterson. It mentions her visiting a dump before and after the lunch, and a social media post about mushrooms. While these details are presented as suspicious, the text also notes that "what she disposed of is unknown." This leaves room for alternative explanations but focuses on the potentially incriminating aspects, shaping the reader's perception of her actions.

The text uses emotional language to evoke a strong negative reaction towards Erin Patterson. Phrases like "fell into a coma and his family was told he might not survive" and "severe symptoms including slurred speech and loss of muscle control" are used to describe Simon Patterson's alleged experiences. These descriptions are vivid and distressing, designed to elicit sympathy for the husband and further condemn the wife.

The text conveys a strong sense of fear and worry, primarily through the experiences of Simon Patterson. His belief that his wife was trying to poison him, evidenced by his severe illnesses including a coma and hospitalization with symptoms like slurred speech and loss of muscle control, paints a picture of deep personal danger. This fear is further amplified by his actions, such as changing his power of attorney and sharing his concerns with family. The sister, Anna Terrington, also expresses worry, specifically about the lunch gathering where the fatal poisoning occurred, and her attempt to warn her parents highlights the pervasive sense of dread. This emotional portrayal serves to build a strong case against Erin Patterson, making the reader feel the gravity of the situation and the potential harm she posed.

The text also reveals a profound sense of sorrow and regret, particularly from Simon Patterson. His statement about not telling the family sooner, believing he was the only target, expresses a deep sadness for the lives lost and the potential to have prevented the tragedy. This emotion aims to evoke sympathy from the reader, humanizing Simon and emphasizing the devastating consequences of the events.

Furthermore, the narrative implies a sense of suspicion and concern surrounding Erin Patterson's actions. The discovery of information about toxins on her computer, the suspicion of rat poison, her visits to the dump, and the social media post about poisonous mushrooms all contribute to an atmosphere of unease and distrust. These details are presented to guide the reader's opinion, suggesting a pattern of behavior that points towards guilt and a deliberate intent to harm. The writer uses descriptive language, such as "severe symptoms," "fell into a coma," and "might not survive," to heighten the emotional impact of Simon's experiences, making them more vivid and concerning for the reader. The mention of the sister trying to warn her parents also serves as a personal story that amplifies the emotional weight of the tragedy, making the reader feel the family's distress and the devastating outcome. The overall effect of these emotions is to create a compelling narrative that elicits a strong emotional response from the reader, shaping their understanding and judgment of the events.