By Tim Hanlon
A woman has died and two other visitors to a health retreat were rushed to hospital after suspected mushroom poisoning.
Police are investigating the incident at Soul Barn, an 'Alternative & Holistic Health Service', located in Clunes, Victoria, Australia. Rachael Dixon, 53, suffered a cardiac arrest and despite the best efforts of paramedics passed away on the night of Saturday, April 13.
Owner and founder of Soul Barn, Michelle Mullins, issued a statement on the clinic’s Facebook page where she said that the premises had been hired out and that nobody representing Soul Barn was involved in the private event when the incident happened.
“There are no words to express the deep sorrow and shock we are feeling here at Soul following the tragic incident that occurred on April 13th,” read the statement. “Soul Barn hires out workshop space to external businesses and facilitators. The event which took place on April 13th was a private event, and those facilitating the event do not work for or represent Soul Barn in any way. None of our regular therapists, staff or facilitators were present at any point during this event.
"We share the shock and devastation of everyone involved and our hearts are with those families affected. We have no further information to share and we ask you to please respect the privacy of our small community. Thank you.”
Ms Dixon, who allegedly drank a mushroom tonic around 12am, is believed to have also been a health practitioner living in Melbourne with her son. Her sister Penny Muller-Dixon wrote a tribute on social media saying: “So this happened words cannot express the heartbreak we are all feeling.” And one of the many replies read: “I’m so sorry to hear this sad news penny sending you love and hugs. Rip beautiful Rachael.”
Jude Darmanin, an ‘intuitive facialist’ had been booked in to provide a skincare session using ‘wild foraged plants’ at Soul Barn she has also denied any involvement in the event, and there is no suggestion that she was. She reportedly said she was “deeply saddened by the tragic event”.
Two other people were taken to hospital in the incident where Ms Dixon died and police are looking into the possibility that the three had a drink with ‘magic mushrooms’ - that contain hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police informed Daily Mail Australia that detectives from its Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit are probing the death. "It is believed a woman fell ill after consuming a drink at a retreat on Fraser Street around midday. Investigations are ongoing and police will prepare a report for the Coroner," she stated.