New age health centre boss breaks her silence after suspected mushroom poisoning death: ‘Devastating’
The owner of an alternative health clinic claims a private event was being held at the venue when a woman died from a suspected mushroom poisoning.
Soul Barn owner and founder Michelle Mullins issued a statement on Tuesday to refute speculation she had been conducting the clinic in which Rachael Dixon fell ill and died.
‘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,’ its statement read.
Owner of Soul Barn, Michelle Mullins (pictured) previously said she dreamed of Soul Barn being ‘a space where people can connect on many levels
A statement issued by Soul Barn on Tuesday afternoon
‘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.’
Rachael Dixon, 53, became critically ill and later died from a suspected heart attack after allegedly drinking a mushroom tonic at Soul Barn in Clunes, near Ballarat, western Victoria, about 12am on Saturday night.
Ms Mullins said she and her staff had all been traumatised by what had happened at her business.
‘We share the shock and devastation of everyone involved and our hearts are with those families affected,’ it read.
‘We have no further information to share and we ask you to please respect the privacy of our small community.’
It can further be revealed Ms Dixon had lived in New Zealand before settling in Melbourne and raising her son.
The tragedy unfolded after ‘intuitive facialist’ Jude Darmanin had earlier been scheduled to provide a skincare session using ‘wild foraged plants’ at Soul Barn.
But on Tuesday she too broke her silence to stress she had no involvement in the heartbreaking death later that night.
There is no suggestion the suspected poisoning was intentional or that Ms Darmanin was part of the events leading up to Ms Dixon’s death.
‘Intuitive facialist’ Jude Darmanin (pictured) was scheduled to provide ‘foraged’ skincare at a wellness facility the same day a woman died at the centre
Ms Darmanin said in an online post (pictured) that she was ‘deeply saddened’ by news of Rachael Dixon’s death
‘(The specialist) weaves ancient skincare rituals and combines them with modern techniques to create nurturing yet active facials,’ Soul Barn advertised.
‘Using infused herbal oils sourced from local farms and wild foraged plants, plus handcrafted skincare from around the world especially chosen for its potency and purity.
‘This is a facial like none other, one you will never forget!’
On Tuesday night, Ms Darmanin said she was ‘deeply saddened by the tragic event that occurred at Soul Barn’.
‘I don’t know any more than what was reported in the news as I was not present,’ she said.
She then apologised to customers whose appointments on Sunday were cancelled and promised to reschedule them soon.
Ms Dixon and two other Soul Barn customers were rushed from the wellness centre to hospital after the possible poisoning.
One line of inquiry police will investigate is whether the trio consumed a drink with ‘magic’ mushrooms, which contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin.
It is currently mushroom season in Australia’s south and Clunes, located some 30km north of Ballarat, is surrounding by forests.
It’s often difficult to distinguish the difference between edible and lethal mushrooms.
Poisonous galerina mushrooms can often be mistaken for the lookalike psilocybin ‘magic’ mushrooms, with potentially lethal consequences, and the pair often grow nearby each other.
it’s believed Ms Dixon (pictured) died after drinking a poisonous mushroom tonic about midnight on Saturday
Soul Barn (pictured) remained closed on Tuesday following the 53-year-old mother’s death
Just two weeks before Ms Dixon’s death, Victoria’s Department of Health had also warned the incredibly poisonous death cap and yellow-staining mushrooms had begun appearing across the state.
It advised ‘consuming just one (death cap) mushroom can kill an adult’ while yellow-staining mushrooms appear ‘very similar to regular purchased mushrooms’.
‘Anyone who collects and consumes wild mushrooms of unknown species is putting themselves at risk of potential poisoning and serious illness,’ it said.
‘Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison.’
Two other people hospitalised after the Soul Barn incident were released on Tuesday.
Ms Dixon’s heartbroken son, Matthew, shared his grief 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.’
It’s understood police will also investigate whether any other toxic substances were responsible for Ms Dixon’s death.
Soul Barn on Sunday extended its ‘deepest condolences’ to Ms Dixon’s loved ones and advised a ‘soul healing’ session was cancelled.
The business remained closed on Tuesday as local business owners and residents said the incident was ‘confronting’ and ‘devastating’.
Just two weeks ago, Clunes (pictured) was rocked by the death of 23-year-old Hannah McGuire who was found dead inside a burning car
Daily Mail Australia contacted Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins for comment.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Ms Mullins or anyone associated with her business has intentionally poisoned people.
Ms Mullins previously said she dreamed of Soul Barn being ‘a space where people can connect on many levels.
‘Hosting inspiring workshops and retreats that will link you to your own passions, allow you to explore new skills and encourage you to express yourself authentically,’ she said.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that detectives from its Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating the death.
‘It is believed a woman was at a retreat on Fraser Street when she became ill after ingesting a drink about 12pm,’ she said in a statement.
‘Investigations remain ongoing and police will prepare a report for the coroner.’
The death came a year after another high-profile instance of mushroom poisoning in Victoria.
Erin Patterson from Leongatha, in the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria, was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in November.
She is accused of serving her ex-husband’s family members a Beef Wellington laden with toxic mushrooms.
The weekend’s tragedy was also the second to hit the small town of Clunes in recent weeks following the death of 23-year-old Hannah McGuire.
Ms Dixon and two other Soul Barn (pictured) customers were rushed from the wellness centre to hospital after possibly being poisoned
Ms McGuire’s body was discovered in a burning car near State Forest Road in Scarsdale.
It’s alleged her ex-boyfriend, Lachlan Young, killed her and set her body alight.
Police have asked anyone with information on the latest incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
