crippa drowned a month ago at santa barbara cottage hospital , eleven moments after he ate a heaping plate of the deadly geranium ocreata mushrooms , says his wife , joan crippa . recognized as " death angel " for its ice - red appearance , the fungus has many toxins that found their magic through crippa ' s system , sickening him and eventually causing his liver to fails . family members had often warned crippa against indulge in his love for hunting wild mushrooms , an activity he learned from his italian immigrant parents , his girlfriend explained .
Crippa's wife, Joan, was an Italian immigrant.