Adelaide fashion entrepreneur dies after using magic mushrooms as alternative treatment
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Barbara Komazec says her sister's death highlights the risks of undertaking alternative treatments. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
In the lead-up to her death, Carol Foord was desperate to be healthy.
The Adelaide fashion industry icon, who founded Toffs and later Wild Child Style Lab, had fought breast cancer and symptoms of motor neurone disease.
In June last year, as she had done before, she turned to alternative treatments — seeking out magic mushrooms to help with anxiety.
Carol Foord died in June 2024. (Supplied by family)
But, in the hours after ingesting the hallucinogens, Ms Foord went into cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation at home.
She was taken to hospital, where she died a short time later.
Nearly a year on, her devastated family is speaking out to warn others about the risks of undertaking alternative treatments.
Post-mortem shows psilocin
A post-mortem report supplied to the family could not pinpoint why Ms Foord had gone into cardiac arrest.
"There were no acute findings to account for sudden death," it said.
Carol Foord's siblings (from left) Jenny Howland, Barbara Komazec and Michael Foord. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
Her cause of death was recorded as "cardio respiratory failure on a background of motor neurone disease and substance use (psilocin and diazepam)".
Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, while psilocin is a hallucinogen found in magic mushrooms.
Samples showed both substances were present in Ms Foord's blood when she died.
The report also noted an alternative health practitioner was reportedly with her when she "deteriorated".
Barbara Komazec (left) with her sister, entrepreneur and business person, Carol Foord (right). (Supplied: Barbara Komazec)
Following Ms Foord's death, the practitioner was charged with supplying or administering a controlled drug to another person.
But the charge was dropped during a hearing in April.
Outside court, the practitioner declined to answer questions from the ABC.
In an email to Ms Foord's sister Barbara Komazec, a SA Police detective said there was insufficient evidence for anyone to be charged.
Family seeks answers
According to a 2024 National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre study, deaths caused by magic mushrooms are rare and occur mostly due to traumatic accidents or self-injury while under the influence of the drug.
It found, over a 23-year period, a very small number of deaths were caused by an apparent acute toxic reaction after psilocin ingestion.
A family photo with Carol Foord, third from left, as a young child. (Supplied)
But Ms Foord's family said her case highlighted the risks associated with undertaking alternative treatments away from medical settings.
Ms Komazec said those who use drugs at home do not have access to immediate assistance if something goes wrong.
She said, in this case, medical professionals treating Ms Foord did not know she had ingested magic mushrooms.
"The paramedics were not told. At the hospital, when she arrived at the RAH, the hospital was not informed," she said.
Carol Foord opened Adelaide boutiques Toffs and Wild Child Style Lab. (Supplied)
Since Ms Foord's death, her family has attempted to access records to find out exactly what time paramedics were called — but have so far been unsuccessful.
In a statement, SA Ambulance Service said no Freedom of Information request had been received concerning the records of Ms Foord.
Ms Komazec said her sister was battling a serious illness when she first embraced alternative treatments.
She feared others in a similar situation might be tempted to do the same out of a desperation to be well — but she urged caution.
"I would like to see further investigation of this," she said.
Carol Foord's brother, Michael Foord, says she "brought a lot of joy to people". (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
Mr Foord said, despite perception, magic mushrooms were not risk-free drugs.
He said, of particular concern, was the potential for serious side effects to be dismissed as "a bad trip".
"Hallucinogens are dangerous, they really are," he said.
Coronial investigation ongoing
In a statement, SA Health said it could not respond to questions about Ms Foord's death due to patient confidentiality.
"People who are considering engaging with alternative therapies are strongly urged to do so in consultation with their qualified and registered health practitioner," the statement said.
"Additionally, the distribution or consumption of illicit substances is strongly discouraged by all health professionals."
A memorial plaque for Carol Foord installed on a bench in Adelaide's southern suburbs. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
SA Police referred queries to the coroner, telling the ABC "the investigation is now with the Coroner's Office for review".
A spokesperson for the Coroner's Office said, "the coronial investigation into this death is ongoing".
"The prosecution of criminal charges is a matter for SAPOL," they said.
A legacy to be proud of
Ms Foord's family said they live every day with questions about how her final hours played out.
Ms Foord's eldest sister, Jenny Howland, said it had been difficult to navigate those questions while grieving.
Jenny Howland honours her sister's legacy. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
"I miss her all the time, I'll often find something at home that reminds me of her," she said.
"But it's the way she died that I can't quite cope with."
Their focus has also been on honouring the memory of their sister and daughter, who was 72 when she died.
Earlier this year, a memorial plaque was installed in Ms Foord's honour at Heywood Park in Unley.
A memorial plaque for Carol Foord on a bench at Heywood Park in Unley. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)
It remembers her as a style icon, an entrepreneur and a beautiful spirit.
Mr Foord said his sister's legacy was wide-reaching.
She built an extensive property and business portfolio, with Wild Child Style Lab remaining a King William Road institution to this day.
She was adored by her family, and built meaningful connections throughout her life.
"She brought a lot of joy to a lot of people," he said.
Written by ABC News.
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