Arizona Woman Contracts Rare, Life-Threatening Botulism After Eating Homemade Fermented Swordfish

Trinity Peterson-Mayes, 24, was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator after trying her friend's homemade dish.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:26am

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A 24-year-old Arizona woman named Trinity Peterson-Mayes became seriously ill with a rare and life-threatening case of botulism after eating homemade fermented swordfish with friends. Within days, she lost the ability to swallow and breathe on her own, requiring hospitalization and a ventilator. Two of her friends also developed botulism from the same meal.

Why it matters

Botulism is an extremely rare foodborne illness, with only about two dozen adult cases per year in the U.S. This case highlights the serious health risks associated with improperly prepared homemade fermented foods, which can allow the growth of the botulism toxin. It also shows the importance of seeking immediate medical care for any concerning symptoms after consuming questionable foods.

The details

After trying the homemade fermented swordfish, which Peterson-Mayes described as tasting "horrible," she began experiencing difficulty swallowing and breathing within days. She was initially dismissed by one hospital before being transferred to a specialized neurological center, where doctors diagnosed her with botulism. The toxin caused her muscles to become paralyzed, requiring her to be placed on a ventilator. Peterson-Mayes said five other friends ate the same swordfish, and two of them also developed botulism.

  • Peterson-Mayes ate the homemade fermented swordfish in late February 2026.
  • Within days, she began experiencing symptoms like difficulty swallowing and breathing.
  • After nearly choking on a sip of coffee, she rushed to the hospital on March 1, 2026.
  • Doctors at the first hospital wanted to send her home, but she insisted something was wrong.
  • She was then transferred to a specialized neurological center, where she was diagnosed with botulism on March 2, 2026.

The players

Trinity Peterson-Mayes

A 24-year-old Arizona woman who became seriously ill with botulism after eating homemade fermented swordfish.

Dr. Frank LoVecchio

An emergency physician who stated that most doctors go their entire careers without seeing a case of botulism, which is extremely rare.

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What they’re saying

“It tasted horrible, I'm going to be so honest. It's supposed to be healthy, and I figured I might as well try, if it's bad, and I'll just get a bad stomach ache.”

— Trinity Peterson-Mayes (12News)

“Botulism is extremely rare, and most emergency physicians go their whole career without seeing a case.”

— Dr. Frank LoVecchio, Emergency Physician (12News)

What’s next

Peterson-Mayes is expected to be released from the hospital in about a week, but she said it could take months before she feels fully recovered. The two other friends who also developed botulism have since been released from the hospital as well.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious health risks associated with improperly prepared homemade fermented foods, which can allow the growth of the deadly botulism toxin. It highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical care for any concerning symptoms after consuming questionable foods, as prompt treatment is crucial for survival.