Rachael Dixon died and two other people required treatment in hospital but have since been discharged
An Australian woman has died after drinking an infusion suspected to contain toxic mushrooms at an alternative healing centre north-west of Melbourne.
Rachael Dixon, 53, went into cardiac arrest after drinking an unknown substance at Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre in Clunes at midnight on Sunday, according to authorities.
Two other people required treatment in hospital but have since been discharged.
“It’s believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser Street when she became ill after ingesting a drink just after 12am,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.
“Investigations remain ongoing and police will prepare a report for the coroner.”
Police are investigating whether the group planned to ingest magic mushrooms.
Soul Barn’s Facebook page describes the centre as an “alternative and holistic health service”.
On Saturday night, it was hosting an event about ancient skincare rituals led by a visiting beautician who used infused herbal oils “sourced from local farms and wild-foraged plants”.
A post said: “[The specialist] weaves ancient skincare rituals and combines them with modern techniques to create nurturing yet active facials.
“Using infused herbal oils sourced from local farms & wild foraged plants, plus handcrafted skincare from around the world especially chosen for its potency and purity … This is a facial like non [sic] other, one you will never forget!”
‘Guided trips’
It was not clear if Ms Dixon and the other two people who required hospital treatment were at the event.
A new post on Sunday said that Soul Barn extended its “deepest condolences” to the family.
A “sound healing” session planned for that day was cancelled and Soul Barn remained closed on Tuesday.
The Telegraph has contacted Soul Barn comment.
Ms Dixon’s son Matthew paid tribute to his mother on social media on Sunday, writing: “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.
“Words can’t begin to describe how much I will miss you, wish I could give you one last hug.”
Detectives have launched inquiries into the death but are yet to determine what kind of mushrooms may have been in the drinks.
The ingestion of magic mushrooms in “guided trips” led by counsellors has become more popular in Australia amid growing research into the possible therapeutic benefits of the psychedelic substance psilocybin.
But as that industry develops, some health experts have raised concerns about a lack of regulation as well as the possibility people could unknowingly ingest poisonous varieties.
Earlier in April, Australian food safety experts once again issued another warning about the dangers of wild mushrooms.
‘Deadly mushrooms can look edible’
Dr Evelyn Wong, Victoria’s acting chief health officer, said: “There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.”
Cathy Moir, the chairman of the Food Safety Information Council, said that social media influencers had also contributed to the popularity of wild foraging.
She said that death cap mushrooms can appear at any time of year but are more common in the two weeks after heavy rain.
“They are not native to Australia and are often found near English oak trees,” Ms Moir said.
“People born overseas, especially in European and Asian countries, should be aware that these deadly mushrooms can look like edible mushrooms they may have gathered in their home countries.”
The incident comes less than a year after the highly publicised case involving the alleged murderer Erin Patterson, who has been accused of lacing a family lunch with “death cap” fungi.
Three people died. Patterson has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles – and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.
News Related
-
Asylum seekers travel in an inflatable boat across the English Channel, bound for Dover on the south coast of England (Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP) Up to 40 Conservative MPs are poised to rebel over Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation policy as they question ministers’ commitment to the scheme. A major row is ...
See Details:
Up to 40 Tory MPs ‘set to rebel’ if Sunak’s Rwanda plan doesn’t override ECHR
-
In the saltmarsh fringing where the Ballyboe River dissolves into Trawbreaga Bay, a little egret wears its plumage like a windblown stole. Our car swoops across the 10 arches of Malin bridge and we park along the village green. Malin is almost as far north as you can get on ...
See Details:
Country diary: A tale of three churches
-
Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/EPA Hampton Court is an enduring monument to the power of Henry VIII, a pleasure palace down the Thames from Westminster and the City of London. On Monday it was the scene of power projection of a different kind, as Rishi Sunak pitched for investment from some of ...
See Details:
Sunak woos business elite with royal welcome – but they seek certainty
-
-
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to bring an overseas defender to the Premier League in January, according to a fresh report. Postecoglou’s centre-back options The Lilywhites currently have Micky Van De Ven, Ashley Phillips, Cristian Romero and Eric ...
See Details:
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January
-
A £100m campaign urging households and businesses to use less water will be funded from customers’ bills, Ofwat has said. Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign The regulator’s chief executive David Black told MPs that if the measures worked it would be cheaper than building ...
See Details:
Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign
-
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group B – Canada Training – Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia – July 24, 2023 Canada’s Christine Sinclair during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo (Reuters) – BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be renamed “Christine Sinclair ...
See Details:
Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Phil Taylor makes his pick for 2024 World Darts Championship winner
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Soccer-Howe aims to boost Newcastle's momentum in PSG clash
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Hamilton heads for hibernation with a word of warning
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after 1-10 start to the season
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
This exercise is critical for golfers. 4 tips to doing it right
-
Michael van Gerwen is hunting down a fourth World Championship title (Picture: Getty Images) Michael van Gerwen is Phil Taylor’s tip to lift the World Darts Championship trophy for a fourth time in January, expecting a backlash from the recent defeat in the Players Championship Finals. The 2024 World Championship ...
See Details:
One in three households with children 'will struggle to afford Christmas'
-
OTHER NEWS
Kobbie Mainoo made his first start for Man Utd at Everton (Photo: Getty) The Football Association are reportedly confident that Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo will choose to represent England ...
Read more »
Michael Smith will begin the defence of his world title on the opening night (Picture: Getty Images) The 2024 World Darts Championship is less than three weeks away and the ...
Read more »
For the first time a long haul commercial aircraft is flying across the Atlantic using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A long haul commercial flight is flying to the US ...
Read more »
The King has met business and finance leaders from across the world at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the conclusion of the UK’s Global Investment Summit. Charles was introduced ...
Read more »
After Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan Saturday, many college football fans were wondering where Lou Holtz was. In his postgame interview after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 17-14 in ...
Read more »
Darius Slay wouldn’t have minded being penalized on controversial no-call No matter which team you were rooting for on Sunday, we can all agree that the officiating job performed by ...
Read more »
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) Quarterback Mac Jones remains committed to finding success with the New England Patriots even though his future is up in the air following ...
Read more »