Melbourne ‘healer’ linked to Clunes health retreat where Rachael Dixon died
A self-proclaimed “healer and mentor” hosted an overnight retreat in Clunes where a Melbourne woman died after consuming a drink suspected to have contained magic mushrooms.
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A self-proclaimed “healer and mentor” has been linked to a health retreat in Clunes where a mother died after consuming a drink suspected to have contained magic mushrooms.
Rachael Dixon, 53, went into cardiac arrest after ingesting the psychedelic drink during an overnight event at Soul Barn on April 14 this year.
Three months after the Ringwood North mum died at the wellbeing centre, her cause of death remains unknown, according to an autopsy report.
The Herald Sun now understands Port Melbourne business owner Deanne Mathews hosted the private event that Ms Dixon attended on April 13.
It can be revealed the pair had known each other for about seven years, with Ms Dixon attending previous retreats by the self-proclaimed healer, mentor and teacher.
The April event, costing between $800 to $1200 per person, was not listed on Ms Mathews’ website but rather advertised through word-of-mouth within the community.
On her website, Ms Mathews said she helped people work through their “pain and trauma”.
It’s believed Ms Dixon had consumed the suspected magic mushroom drink at previous retreats without any complications.
The ingredients in the drink forced participants to fall into a state of hypnosis, allowing them to “go back in time and mend the past”.
Usually one individual present at the event would refrain from consuming the hallucinogens in order to ensure the safety of the other participants.
But the Herald Sun understands everyone who was at the retreat ingested the mushroom drink the night that Ms Dixon died.
No one else suffered injuries but two people were taken to hospital for shock.
Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins previously said the venue was hired out to an external business and none of their regular therapists, staff or facilitators were present.
Ms Mathews said she had a passion for healing people.
“I have been on my own healing journey for many years, intimately understanding that when we heal, we have more love to give ourselves and others,” she wrote on her website.
“If you’re someone who has a deep desire to heal and understand who you are — whether that is through energy work, sound healing or you’re feeling it’s time to work through your pain and trauma and want to transform your life through a multi-faceted approach, then I would love to guide you into what already exists within you, waiting to be embraced and explored.”
Ms Mathews offers her clients four different sessions at her Rouse St workshop where she frequently uses essential oils “derived from plants”.
The sessions include the Power of Intention Healing Circle, the Inner Work Session, Aromatherapy Healing Bodywork Massage and Reiki and Vibrational Healing.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said: “As the investigation is ongoing, it’s not appropriate to comment”.
A WorkSafe spokeswoman said it was not taking further action in relation to the matter.
Ms Mathews was contacted for comment.
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