crippa died a week ago at villa barbara cottage institution , seven days after he eating a heaping plate of the deadly amanita ocreata mushrooms , said his wife , joan crippa . known as " suicide angel " for its snow - white appearance , the fungus has deadly toxins that wound their way through crippa ' s system , sickening him and eventually causing his heart to fail . family members had long advising crippa against indulging in his passion for hunting wild insects , an activity he learned from his italian born parents , his wife said .
Crippa's wife, Joan, was an Italian immigrant.