A tragic series of events struck a restaurant in Bozeman, Montana, that unfortunately involved the untimely deaths of two of its customers. Donna Ventura and William Lewis, who dined at Dave's Sushi within days of each other last month, reportedly passed away after consuming morel mushrooms served at the restaurant.
A release from the Gallatin City-County Health Department, which has since labeled the incident a foodborne outbreak, announced that the morel mushrooms could be the source, but they're still testing samples. The mushrooms of concern were cultivated in China and shipped to a distributor in California. It's believed that the mushrooms infected 41 people in total.
"Preliminary investigative findings indicate that food containing morel mushrooms may be the exposure of concern. Currently, no pathogen/toxin has been identified, and both state and federal partners continue to test clinical and food samples," the release stated.
William Lewis, 74, ate at Dave's Sushi on April 17 and died the next day after becoming extremely ill and dehydrated.
Donna Ventura, 64, was hospitalized the day she ate a special roll containing salmon and morel mushrooms from Dave's Sushi. She went into cardiac arrest and also experienced multiple organ failures. She died in the ICU nearly two weeks after being hospitalized.
The investigation into the cause of the deaths is ongoing, and Dave's Sushi remains closed. The restaurant issued a statement offering its condolences and acknowledging that they are also awaiting answers.
"We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the woman who recently passed away due to a possible foodborne illness, as shared by the Gallatin County Sheriff. No matter the circumstances, we are deeply saddened to learn of her death. Our hearts go out to her loved ones. We are waiting for answers regarding the possible foodborne illness from the Gallatin City-County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they continue to conduct their investigation," read the statement obtained by Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
The Chronicle also reported that families of Ventura and another person who became sick after dining at Dave's Sushi have recently filed lawsuits against the restaurant.
