Woman dies after allegedly consuming drink at Clunes health retreat

A woman is dead and two others are in hospital after allegedly consuming a drink at a health retreat in the regional town of Clunes, near Ballarat, on the weekend.

Victoria Police said detectives and the coroner were investigating the death of a 53-year-old Ringwood North woman who became ill and died shortly after 12pm on Saturday.

Two other people were taken to hospital for observation.

Investigators are probing whether a mushroom-based drink was consumed, but have not ruled out other potentially toxic substances.

The death occurred at the Soul Barn, an “alternative and holistic health service” business that operates out of a property on Fraser Street in Clunes, 33 kilometres north of Ballarat.

An ambulance was called out shortly in response to a call that someone was in cardiac arrest and not breathing.

Soul Barn owner Michelle Mullins declined to comment when approached by The Age.

“Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances following the death of a woman in Clunes, Saturday, 13 April,” a police spokeswoman said.