Salinas couple fell ill after foraging wild mushrooms; husband received liver transplant

People reports that Laura Marcelino and her husband Carlos Diaz of Salinas, Calif., foraged wild mushrooms in Toro Park on Nov. 30, 2025; both became ill after eating them and Diaz later required an emergency liver transplant.

Marcelino, who is from Oaxaca, told KSBW that they thought the fungi resembled edible mushrooms from their hometown. Only Marcelino and Diaz consumed the mushrooms; both experienced vomiting and diarrhea and were taken to Natividad Medical Center. Diaz was transferred to Stanford Hospital when his condition worsened, was placed at the top of the transplant list, received a donated liver and is now in stable condition. Their daughter Flor started a GoFundMe, saying both parents — who have worked as field laborers to support six children — are unable to work and face mounting medical expenses.

The California Department of Public Health issued a Dec. 5 warning after identifying 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning linked to wild mushrooms, including severe liver damage and one death, and advised against foraging during the high‑risk season; officials also said cooking, boiling, drying or freezing does not make these mushrooms safe to eat. Marcelino has called for warning signs at Toro Park and Diaz urged people not to forage. The outlet said it contacted the California Poison Control System on Jan. 5 but did not receive an immediate response.

Key Topics

Health, Laura Marcelino, Carlos Diaz, Toro Park, Salinas, Natividad Medical Center