The woman at the centre of Australia’s latest mushroom death tragedy has been spotted enjoying herself with a friend after she was revealed to have been the host of the deadly retreat that claimed one life.
Deanne Mathews was seen laughing while having morning coffee with a friend, before greeting a client with a warm hug at the front door of her Port Melbourne studio.
Ringwood North mum Rachael Dixon, 53, died from a suspected heart attack after allegedly drinking a mushroom tonic at the Soul Barn in Clunes, near Ballarat, western Victoria, on April 13 during a health retreat being operated by Ms Mathews.
Ms Mathews, a self-proclaimed ‘healer, mentor and teacher’, has been operating out of premises in Port Melbourne and trendy Chapel Street, in Windsor, when she was unmasked as the previously un-named host last week.
Daily Mail Australia spotted Ms Mathews, who appears to speak with an American accent, enjoying herself on Friday, beaming with delight as she went about her day.
Other workers were also seen arriving for work at the Port Melbourne building, situated a stone’s throw from Port Phillip Bay.
Dressed in a tan poncho and wearing large hooped earrings, Ms Mathews seemed happy and relaxed as she enjoyed her hot drink.
She was later seen listening to tunes on her headphones as she strolled down the road with her sports bag and a bohemian necklace dangling over her poncho.
Deanne Mathews was seen out and about at a café near her Port Melbourne premises
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Mathews about the tragedy, without receiving any reply.
It is understood she had known Ms Dixon, who police believe died after consuming a suspected magic mushroom drink, for several years before her shocking death.
The retreat, which also saw two other people admitted to hospital for shock, had been hosted by Ms Mathews, according to the Herald Sun.
Ms Dixon had previously attended earlier retreats put on by Ms Mathews which typically cost around $800 to $1,200 and were advertised by word of mouth.
On her website Ms 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’.
Once ingested, the mushroom drink is understood to induce a state of hypnotic-like trance, allowing the consumer to ‘go back in time and mend the past’.
An autopsy report on Ms Dixon failed to find a final conclusion on the cause of her death.
Rachael Dixon (pictured right) became critically ill and later died after drinking a suspected magic mushroom drink at a retreat reportedly organised by Deanne Mathews (pictured left)
Deanne Mathews embraces a friend in Port Melbourne on Friday
Deanne Mathews chats to a friend while enjoying a drink in Port Melbourne
Victoria Police said the death was subject to an ongoing investigation.
Ms 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 had issued a statement 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 13th,’ the statement read.
‘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.’
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.
Deanne Mathews appears to work across some of Melbourne’s most wealthiest suburbs
Deanne Mathews gets out and about in Port Melbourne on Friday
Ms Dixon died after drinking a mushroom tonic at the Soul Barn (pictured) in Clunes, near Ballarat, western Victoria
‘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*n short please hug and love those around you,’ she posted on social media.
