Rizna Mutmainah
Legal

Health retreat responds to woman's suspected mushroom poisoning death

The alternative health centre where Rachael Dixon died after consuming a drink allegedly containing poisonous mushrooms have issued a public statement on the incident. 

The 53-year-old and her friends took part in a holistic wellness retreat at Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre when Dixon fell ill on Saturday night after she allegedly crushed up mushrooms and consumed them in a drink. 

While her two friends were rushed to hospital and released a few days later, Dixon went into cardiac arrest, and despite best efforts by paramedics, she died at the scene just after 12am.

Soul Barn, a self-described “creative wellbeing centre” specialising in holistic and alternative practices issued a statement on Thursday saying they were devastated by the incident. 

They also claimed that the event on Saturday that Dixon attended was not run by the centre or facilitated by any of its staff.

“Soul Barn hires out workshop (spaces) to external businesses and facilitators,” they said. 

“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.”

The health centre will remain closed while police investigate Dixon's death and a report is being prepared for the coroner. 

Image: 7NEWS

Tags:
Legal, Mushroom Poisoning, Health