A Melbourne health guru has admitted trafficking magic mushrooms at a retreat where she supplied a psychedelic-laced potion to a woman who later died.
Ringwood North mum Rachael Dixon, 53, had a reported heart attack after drinking a mushroom tonic at a healing ceremony at Clunes in Victoria’s west last April.
On Wednesday, Deanne Mathews, 54, pleaded guilty to supplying the illegal hallucinogenic mushrooms, but escaped without a conviction and just a $3000 fine.
The court heard Mathews rented the ‘regional oasis’ venue Soul Barn to host the weekend retreat where she gave several clients a dose of magic mushrooms.
But after consuming them, Ms Dixon suffered a devastating health episode and later died, the court was told. The exact cause of death was not revealed in court.
Victoria Police probing Ms Dixon’s death found evidence Mathews had trafficked psilocin, also called psilocybin – the psychedelic ingredient of magic mushrooms.
Cops seized evidence from the retreat including bowls and spoons which had traces of psilocin, forensic experts found.
Police also discovered text messages between Mathews and Ms Dixon proving she sold magic mushrooms and interviewed several people who were at the retreat.
Melbourne health guru Deanne Mathews (pictured), 54, admitted trafficking magic mushrooms at a retreat where she supplied a psychedelic-laced potion to a woman who later died
Ringwood North mum Rachael Dixon, 53, (pictured) died after consuming a mushroom tonic at a healing ceremony at Clunes in Victoria’s west on April 13 last year
They said they paid $500 for the retreat which included the cost of the ‘medicine’ for the tea from Mathews, also known as Diane Matthews.
The court heard the magic mushrooms were ground in mixing-bowls, weighed and served as tea.
Guests were served up to six grams of mushrooms which were consumed over a two-day period.
Witnesses said consuming magic mushrooms during the retreat is ‘at your own undertaking’.
‘All this consumption of the tea is entirely up to the individual, you are never pushed to try this,’ a witness said.
‘Dee is probably the best person I have sat with throughout a ceremony, everyone that attends is aware of what the tea contains.’
Mathews also gave a statement to police in which she said ‘people who attend the healing ceremonies are fully aware and consensual to the use of magic mushrooms’.
‘It is a reason they attend,’ Mathews said.
On Wednesday, Deanne Mathews, (left) pleaded guilty to supplying the illegal hallucinogenic mushrooms to Rachael Dixon (right), but escaped without a conviction and just a $3000 fine
Victoria Police launched an investigation into Ms Dixon’s death at Clunes retreat Soul Barn (pictured)
Victoria Police probing Ms Dixon’s death found evidence Mathews had trafficked psilocin, also called psilocybin – the psychedelic ingredient of magic mushrooms (pictured)
However, investigators could find ‘no causal link’ between the mushrooms and Ms Dixon’s death.
Mathews, of Mt Macedon in Victoria’s northwest, rented the Soul Barn venue and made some ‘financial gain’ running the retreat, the court heard.
Jon Ross, for Mathews, who appeared at court in person, said Ms Dixon’s death was a ‘tragedy’.
‘It’s distressing as well for the participants, it will have an everlasting impact on the friends and family of Ms Dixon,’ Mr Ross said.
‘Ms Mathews performed CPR, Ms Mathews called emergency services and it was Ms Mathews who was with Ms Dixon in her final moments.’
Mr Ross also highlighted police could find no evidence the magic mushrooms caused Ms Dixon’s death.
‘If there was, we would not be in the Magistrates’ Court,’ Magistrate Julia Barling said.
Mathews, a Canadian mother of two who moved to Australia in her early 20s, received several references from friends including medical professionals.
The health guru, who operates out of stores the wealthy suburbs of Port Melbourne and South Yarra, claimed to have trained under a Canadian physician in a bid to escape childhood trauma.
Mr Ross said his client practised various alternate health methods including Reiki but supplying hallucinogenic drugs had only been a ‘small part of her practice’.
‘(Mathews) tries to help people, this hasn’t made her extremely wealthy,’ he said.
Mr Ross said his client was well trained and had the knowledge to host a wellness retreat which supplied magic mushrooms but had stopped that practice after Ms Dixon’s death.
Health guru Deanne Mathews (pictured on her website) who operates out of stores at Port Melbourne and South Yarra, claimed to have trained under a Canadian physician
The court heard Mathews rented the ‘regional oasis’ venue Soul Barn (pictured) to host the weekend retreat where she gave several clients a dose of magic mushrooms
‘The law lacks the science,’ he said.
‘There is evidence it (hallucinogenic drugs) assists (health), it’s not just providing psilocin to people and hoping for the best.
‘There has been no repeat conduct, no priors and Ms Mathews is not likely to be before the court again.
‘She is no longer working in this way, the effects of this have been profound on her, it’s something which will weigh heavily on her mind for life.’
Magistrate Barling fined Mathews $3000 at Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court but spared her a conviction.
‘It’s a very serious manner in which to enter the criminal justice system, trafficking charges are always taken serious by the court,’ Magistrate Barling said.
‘Without drug traffickers, vulnerable people don’t have direct access to these substances.’
On her website Mathews describes herself as a ‘healer, mentor and teacher’ who helps people work through ‘pain and trauma’ to ‘transform your life through a multi-faceted approach’.
She said that the mushroom drink induces a state of hypnotic-like trance, allowing the consumer to ‘go back in time and mend the past’.
An autopsy report on Ms Dixon did not make a finding on what caused her heart attack.
Mathews’ identity had remained a secret while Soul Barn owner and founder Michelle Mullins came under intense media scrutiny following Ms Dixon’s tragic death.
Ms Mullins issued a statement in April last year to refute speculation she had been conducting the clinic when Ms 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 13,’ the statement read.
‘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.’
Ms Mullins said she and her staff had been traumatised by what had occurred.
‘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.’
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Ms Dixon was herself a health practitioner who had lived in New Zealand before settling in Melbourne and raising her son.
Ms Dixon’s sister Penny Muller-Dixon said ‘words cannot express the heartbreak we are all feeling’.
‘Matthew, your NZ family love you, we will see you soon. Life is so f***en short please hug and love those around you,’ she posted on social media.
