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Australian police nab woman over deaths from suspected mushroom poisoning

An Australian woman has been arrested by the police after the death of three people who ate mushrooms in her home

• November 2, 2023
Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow-staining mushrooms
Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow-staining mushrooms

Australian police arrest woman after suspected mushroom poisoning deaths

Australian police arrested a woman early on Thursday in connection with the deaths of three people in August in a suspected mushroom poisoning.

Four people were taken to hospital on July 30 when they became ill after eating a meal at a home near Melbourne, in the state of Victoria.

Two women, aged 66 and 70, died in hospital on August 4, while a 70-year-old man died on August 5.

A second man was taken to hospital in critical condition and was only released on September 23.

Police said the 49-year-old woman was arrested at her home in Leongatha, near Melbourne and would be interviewed in relation to the incident.

“The investigation remains ongoing,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

In April, Victoria’s Department of Health released an advisory warning people that poisonous mushrooms, including Death Cap mushrooms and Yellow-staining mushrooms, were growing in the state.

“Unless you are an expert, do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria,” the department warned. 

(NAN)

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