Deanne Mathews fined for drug trafficking after mum’s tragic magic mushroom death

A self-proclaimed “healer and mentor” has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking after serving tea containing magic mushrooms to a mother who collapsed and died at a Clunes wellness retreat.

A self-proclaimed “healer and mentor” says she is haunted by the tragic death of a mother who died after consuming a tea containing magic mushrooms at a Clunes wellness retreat.

Rachael Dixon, a 53-year-old personal trainer from Ringwood, suffered a cardiac arrest and died after ingesting a psychedelic drink during an overnight event at Soul Barn in Clunes, near Ballarat, in April last year.

Despite an autopsy, her cause of death remains unknown.

On Wednesday, Deanne Mathews, 54, faced Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court where she was fined $3000 without conviction after pleading guilty to a single charge of trafficking a drug of dependence.

The court heard Mathews hosted a $500 per head healing event at the rented venue on April 13 last year where participants were served a tea containing magic mushrooms over two sessions.

Ms Dixon collapsed and died after consuming the drink.

Police prosecutor Kerrie-Ann Moroney told the court the participants were aware of what they were consuming and did so on their own volition.

Deanne Mathews hosted the private event where Rachael Dixon died after consuming a drink containing magic mushrooms.

In his submissions, defence lawyer Jon Ross said his client was haunted by the tragedy and was the one who called emergency services and performed CPR on Ms Dixon.

“There’s no words to describe it other than as a tragedy,” he said.

“Ultimately, it was Ms Mathews who was with Ms Dixon in her final moments.”

But he said there was no evidence of what caused Ms Dixon’s death which was reflected by the drug trafficking charge.

“As tragic as the whole situation is, this sentencing exercise is about trafficking psilocin on that day,” he said.

The court heard ground mushrooms were placed in a bowl of hot water which was then consumed by participants.

Mr Ross said his client, who describes herself online as a “healer” and “mentor”, had started her therapeutic practice after suffering a traumatic childhood.

“(Her practice) is a passion of hers and something very important to her,” he said.

Rachael Dixon (pictured right) became critically ill and later died after drinking a suspected magic mushroom drink at a retreat organised by Ms Mathews.

Her Port Melbourne practice focused on treating others through breath work, meditation and sound healing and the use of magic mushrooms was relatively new and not a prominent part of her treatment, he said.

The lawyer said his client had experimented with psychedelic drugs which had benefited her through her own trauma but Ms Dixon’s death had a profound effect on her and magic mushrooms were no longer a part of her treatment.

“We’re not talking about drug dealing in a rave scene, we’re not talking about meth,” he said.

“She’s unlikely to be back before the courts again.”

Magistrate Julia Barling said the treatment was “certainly not legal” and if a cause of death were established she could have faced more serious charges.

The Ringwood North mum’s cause of death remains unknown.

Character references, some from event participants, were submitted on Mathews’ behalf, describing her as an “exceptionally gifted healer” and someone who was “highly respected” in the wellness industry.

Wearing a brown cardigan and sandals, Mathews, who sat quietly behind her lawyer during the hearing, was asked to stand as the magistrate imposed her sentence.

“I will specifically note you will be sentenced on trafficking a drug of dependence and there are no charges related to the passing of that participant,” Ms Barling said.

“Regardless of any views you may hold … it is illegal and it will not be tolerated by the community and it won’t be tolerated by the court.”

Mathews was fined $3000 but was spared a criminal conviction.

She declined to comment as she left court.