A woman died and two others were hospitalised on the weekend after they consumed a drink at a retreat near the Australian city of Ballarat. Police officers from Moorabool are probing what led to the death of the woman on Sunday in Clunes.
A report by Radio New Zealand said that the woman was from New Zealand. She has been identified as Rachael Dixon, a Melbourne resident who hailed from Riverton in Southland.
“It is believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser Street when she became ill after ingesting a drink just after 12am. The 53-year-old Ringwood North woman died at the scene. Two other people were taken to hospital for observation," a police spokesperson was quoted as saying by Sky Australia.
The officer said that they are examining whether the drink contained mushrooms. The police spokesperson also told news agencies that the cause of Rachael Dixon’s death is yet to be determined.
The retreat she was in describes itself as an alternative and holistic health service. Australian broadcaster ABC News and Radio New Zealand said the woman was at the Soul Barn retreat.
The authorities at the retreat told 7 News Melbourne that the programme during which Dixon ingested the drink was run by an ‘external facilitator’.
“Soul Barn hires out workshop (spaces) to external businesses and facilitators. The event which took place on April 13 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," Soul Barn said in a statement accessed by 7 News Melbourne.
The news agency said that Dixon suffered a cardiac arrest and homicide detectives are not involved in the investigation.
In July 2023, Australia made history by permitting psychiatrists to prescribe psychedelic treatments for patients dealing with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Licensed and certified doctors are now authorized to prescribe MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, for PTSD, while psilocybin, the active compound in “magic" mushrooms, is available for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
Her son Matthew Mountain took to social media to remember his mother in a heartfelt post. “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. Love you infinity," Mountain said.
Meanwhile, an expert speaking to Sky News Australia dismissed the notion that psychoactive mushrooms caused the death of the 53-year-old mother, who also worked as a personal trainer.
Mushrooms containing compounds like amatoxin or aflatoxins are known to be fatal or toxic to humans, in contrast, magic mushrooms produce psilocybin, which binds to serotonin receptors and is non-fatal, Dr Alistair McTaggart, who has studied fungal genetics and evolution for over a decade, was quoted as saying by Sky News Australia.
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