A 53-year-old mother and personal trainer has been identified as the victim of a suspected mushroom poisoning at a wellness retreat in regional Victoria, Australia on Saturday night.
Rachael Dixon and two other people are believed to have consumed mushrooms at the Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre in Clunes near Ballarat.
Emergency services were called to the wellness centre about midnight.
Ms Dixon died at the retreat early on Sunday morning, while paramedics took the other two for treatment at hospital.
“It’s believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser St when she became ill after ingesting a drink just after 12 am,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
“Investigations remain ongoing and police will prepare a report for the coroner.”
Soul Barn, which promotes itself on social media as an alternative and holistic health service, has not responded to requests for comment.
Ms Dixon’s son Matthew posted a heartbreaking tribute to his mother on social media on Sunday, writing that he wished he could give her “one last hug”.
“To the most loving, most caring person I’ve ever known, can’t thank you enough for everything you ever did for me and all the support you gave me,” he said.
“Words can’t begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug.”
On Sunday, the centre abruptly cancelled a sound healing workshop scheduled for the same afternoon, posting on Facebook that customers would be refunded.
The police have called on anyone with information about the incident to get in touch.
Ms Dixon is from Ringwood North in Melbourne’s east.
Soul Barn advertises services including sound healing, ceremonies, venue hire and homestays.
A spokesman from Ambulance Victoria said paramedics arrived at the property just after 11.50am on Saturday, with two people taken to Ballarat Base Hospital.
On both Saturday and Sunday, Soul Barn advertised a ‘Slow Beauty Medicine’ event with “ritual skincare and reiki to soothe body and spirit”.
“Using infused herbal oils sourced from local farms & wild foraged plants, plus handcrafted skincare from around the world,” a listing in the centre’s newsletter reads.
“Woven into bespoke treatments to deliver your best skin, all while uplifting and enriching your soul with Reiki. This is a facial like non other, one you will never forget!”
The death comes after Victorian authorities warned residents earlier this month that poisonous mushrooms were growing across the state.
“Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria,” acting Chief Health Officer Evelyn Wong said.
“There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.”
The town of Clunes was rocked by a tragedy last week after former resident Hannah McGuire was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner near Ballarat.
The 21-year-old’s remains were discovered in burnt-out car at State Forest Road in Scarsdale, south of the town Ballarat on April 5.
Crime Stoppers can be reached on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppervic.com.au
