Rachael Dixon: Ringwood North woman died after allegedly drinking hallucinogenic ‘mushroom’ concoction
Rachael Dixon died at a health retreat near Ballarat after consuming a drink that her family believed contained magic mushrooms.
Ms Dixon, 53, went into cardiac arrest allegedly after drinking a hallucinogenic drink made at Soul Barn Creative Wellbeing Centre in Clunes at midnight on Sunday.
Two others were hospitalised after consuming the drink but have since been discharged.
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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”.
“Rest in peace,” he wrote.
“To the most loving, most caring person I’ve ever known, I 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; I wish I could give you one last hug.
“Love you infinitely, Mum.”
Her sister, Penny Muller-Dixon, also said the family was heartbroken over the loss.
“So this happened. Words cannot express the heartbreak we are all feeling,” she wrote.
“Life is so fkn short, please hug and love those around you, #takentooyoung #lovemysister.”
It is understood Ms Dixon was a myotherapist and personal trainer.
Ms Dixon’s son and ex-husband told the media the drink contained mushrooms, but this has not been confirmed by police.
The investigation into her death is still ongoing, with police calling on anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
“It’s believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser St when she became ill after ingesting a drink about 12pm,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
“Investigations remain ongoing, and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.”
On both Saturday and Sunday, Soul Barn advertised a ‘Slow Beauty Medicine’ event with “ritual skincare and reiki to soothe body and spirit”.
Soul Barn abruptly cancelled a sound healing workshop scheduled for Sunday afternoon, posting on Facebook that customers would be refunded.
The death comes after Victorian authorities warned residents earlier this month that poisonous mushrooms were growing across the state.
“Do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria unless you are an expert,” acting Chief Health Officer Evelyn Wong said.
“There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms.”
