In a devastating turn of events, Donna Ventura, a 64-year-old woman from Montana, lost her life following a meal that included poisonous mushrooms at a local sushi restaurant, Dave’s Sushi. Just one hour after consuming a salmon roll filled with morel mushrooms imported from China, Ventura fell critically ill. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to a painful two-week stay in the intensive care unit at Bozeman Deaconess Regional Medical Center, where she ultimately succumbed to the effects of the toxins on April 29.
Donna Ventura’s ordeal began shortly after dining at Dave’s Sushi last April, where she and another patron, who also died, were victims of a severe outbreak of food poisoning that affected at least 51 people, according to an investigation by the Gallatin County Health Department. The probe, supported by findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identified the morel mushrooms in the dish as the likely source of the toxic reaction. The CDC advises that while morel mushrooms are typically edible, they require thorough cooking to eliminate potential toxins—a precaution that was fatally overlooked in this instance.
During her final days, the toxins had inflicted such severe damage on Ventura’s organs that she was unable to speak. She communicated with her loved ones by writing messages with a red magic marker. Her husband, Jon Ventura, shared some of her heart-wrenching final words: “I’m not sure I can go on much longer, how are we going to manage, I can’t stand the pain.” Among her last notes, she expressed her love to her family, writing, “I love you,” to her husband and “I love you, Mr. C,” to her son.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Jon Ventura voiced his profound grief and frustration. “It was surreal to think that the simple act of eating lunch would end up putting her in the intensive care unit,” he said. Resolved to seek justice for his wife, he has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the restaurant, alleging negligence in the preparation and handling of the imported mushrooms.
Dave’s Sushi briefly closed following the outbreak but reopened the following month, a decision that has raised concerns among the local community. Jon Ventura expressed his ongoing worries about the restaurant’s safety standards, pointing to “multiple health code violations” recorded by the Gallatin County Health Department.
This tragic incident has sparked a broader discussion about food safety, particularly concerning the handling and preparation of imported ingredients in restaurants. As the Ventura family and the Bozeman community mourn the loss of Donna, questions about regulatory oversight and restaurant accountability remain pressing.
The lawyers representing Dave’s Sushi have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit or the allegations of health violations.
