Episode 68: Erin Patterson, The Mushroom Murderer

A quiet home. A failing marriage. A 911 call that still haunts forums. This week we're diving into the case of Brandi Worley, a story that shocked a small Indiana town and sent the internet down a rabbit hole. Weeks before the tragedy, Brandi's husband Jason had been posting on Reddit asking strangers for advice about his crumbling marriage.. not knowing how the story would end   Sources:  https://archive.is/Z8r7x https://medium.com/@nikyoung/the-reddit-murders-c69d564a5dca http://archive.is/Bfqyl https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/8sx160/an_update_from_jasoninhell/ https://ftp.kpc.alaska.edu/2647776/brandi-worley-a-comprehensive-look-at-her-life/ https://ftp.kpc.alaska.edu/2647776/brandi-worley-a-comprehensive-look-at-her-life/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/brandi-worley

We're back! We start this episode off with a quick acknowledgement that.. everything is a lot right now. Next, we do a quick life update and then dive into the bizarre and unsettling case of Erin Patterson, the mushroom murderer.  What begins as a seemingly wholesome lunch spirals into a true crime tale so wild it feels made up, but unfortunately is very real (like the reality we're living in!). Expect dark turns, questionable decisions, and the kind of side commentary that only happens when the world is on fire and you're coping with humor.   Sources:  https://7news.com.au/news/erin-patterson-celebrates-first-birthday-inside-melbournes-dame-phyllis-frost-centre-as-a-convicted-murderer--c-20185532 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy3ngr2n3vo https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/erin-patterson-husband-simon-mushroom-lunch-murder-trial-australia-ntwnfb https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-06/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-evidence-timeline/105245152 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74zwevy181o https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-08/erin-patterson-poisoned-husband-simon-police-told-court/105363038

MurdHer is celebrating 100,000 downloads! We started this during Covid just to have fun and never imagined anyone would actually listen. To everyone who has stuck with us through our life updates, mispronunciations, and our attempts to keep our sense of humor from getting us into trouble, thank you. What better way to mark the occasion than with a Halloween special? This week, we explore the chilling and tragic tale of Delphine LaLaurie, the notorious New Orleans socialite whose legacy of horror still echoes through the city’s haunted streets. But that’s not all. This special episode features a mysterious guest joining us for the first time. Who, or what, could it be? You’ll have to listen to find out. So light a candle, settle in for some spooky storytelling, and celebrate this huge moment with us. It’s a haunting mix of history, horror, and a few unexpected surprises.

Dani and Gabe are finally back after a little break and while they’ve got some pretty depressing life updates to share (don’t worry, they keep it brief), it’s nothing compared to the wild ride of this week’s story.   We’re diving into the rise and spectacular fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the infamous Theranos founder who went from Silicon Valley’s golden girl to federal inmate. From black turtlenecks and fake test results to billions lost and lives affected, this one’s got everything: ambition, deception, and a voice that got weirdly deep.   Buckle up, this story is as unbelievable as it is unsettling.   Story starts: 7:20   SOURCES: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup https://www.forbes.com/profile/elizabeth-holmes/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/business/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-interview.html https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/05/elizabeth-holmes-new-york-times?srsltid=AfmBOoqg-FLi8Qb3IHCiJCGMuvSsFmklmLlW4G4n5YbOaiGIlujQW8iW

Have you ever fallen for someone? Ever fallen because of someone? This is the story of Cody Johnson and Jordan Graham, two young newlyweds with their whole lives ahead of them. At least, that’s how it should have gone. But just days after their wedding, Cody goes missing. Join us as the most attentive coworker we've ever heard of launches a missing person's investigation less than 24 hours later. What could have happened? Was there foul play? Foul play from the spouse? Yes. Yes, there was. You know what to expect.   SOURCES: https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=20465753&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-244*variant_a_control-924,taboola_ads-322*variant_a_controla-1301 https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/jordan-linn-graham-sentenced-30-years-prison Snapped Season 25 Episode 16 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-26779763 https://www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/justice/montana-newlywed-sentenced  

On this episode of MurdHer we explore the unsettling story of Patricia Allanson Taylor - a woman whose charm and grace masked a darker truth. She seemed to have it all after getting married and buying the home of her dreams.. Unfortunately it was never enough for Patricia.  What starts out as a seemingly ordinary life takes so many twists and turns that you might experience whiplash! Patricia’s story challenges our assumptions about appearances - and how far someone will go when the stakes are everything.   SOURCES: Everything She Ever Wanted - Anne Rule https://murderpedia.org/female.A/a/allanson-patricia.htm https://skdb.fandom.com/wiki/ALLANSON_Patricia_Vann_Taylor

A soldier, a wife—Sally McNeil’s life was anything but ordinary. From the heights of competitive bodybuilding to the depths of a turbulent marriage, her story is one of ambition, control, and explosive conflict. When years of tension finally reached a breaking point, the events that followed shocked the world of professional athletics. Was it self-defense, premeditation, or something even more complex? Join us as we explore the life, relationships, and the fateful day that changed everything.

In this chilling episode, we dive into the unsettling life of Velma Barfield, a woman whose calm demeanor concealed a dark and deadly secret. Known as the "Death Row Granny," Barfield was convicted of poisoning multiple people, including her own mother. But what led her down this path of murder? Was it a desperate bid for attention, financial gain, or something more sinister? We explore her troubled childhood, her relationships, and the twisted psychology behind her lethal actions. Join us as we unravel the haunting story of a woman who gained the trust of those around her—only to betray them in the most fatal of ways.

In this episode, we dive into the chilling and bizarre case of Viktoria Nasyrova, a woman whose life seemed straight out of a movie. From a twisted plot involving poisoning to fake identities, Viktoria's crimes blur the lines between reality and fiction. We’ll explore how she left behind a trail of deception, intrigue, and cheesecake crumbs. Tune in as we unravel her shocking story, packed with lies, secrets, and a dash of dark humor. Don't miss it—this is one case you’ll have to hear to believe!

In this episode, we’re diving into the bizarre and twisted case of Jennair Gerardot — a woman who took revenge to a whole new (and deadly) level. After discovering her husband’s affair, Jennair didn’t just confront the other woman, she decided to handle things in the most extreme way possible. Spoiler: it didn’t end well for anyone involved. Tune in as we break down this wild, tragic tale, with plenty of jaw-dropping moments, some questionable decisions, and a lot of "what were they thinking?"