Inquest probing death of Jarrad Antonovich after he took part in northern NSW kambo and ayahuasca retreat

A Lismore man “looked like a frog” after he tore a fatal hole in his throat, likely by violently vomiting following dangerous psychedelic drug rituals, an inquest heard.

An inquest is being held following the death of Jarrad Antonovich, who consumed ayahuasca and kambo at a North Coast retreat.

A Lismore man “looked like a frog” after he tore a fatal 4cm hole in his throat, likely by violently vomiting following dangerous psychedelic drug rituals, an inquest has heard.

Jarrad Antonovich, 46, died from a perforated oesophagus on October 16, 2021 after taking kambo frog secretions and ayahuasca – a plant-based hallucinogenic drug – while at the Dreaming Arts festival retreat at Collins Creek near Kyogle.

Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan is investigating whether vomiting – common in the drug ceremonies – caused the deadly tear.

The inquest is being held at Lismore, while inquest findings into the death of Natasha Lechner, 39, are due on Friday.

Ms Lechner died suddenly after taking part in a “kambo ceremony” at Mullumbimby on March 8, 2019.

In Mr Antonovich’s inquest, it was heard “shamans” and leaders of an “inner circle” watched for hours as he lay in pain.

Jarrad Antonovich.

The inquest heard part of the retreat run by “shaman” Soulore ‘Lore’ Solaris involved multiple ayahuasca ceremonies, with the “inner circle” making the drug themselves in “concrete buckets”.

The purpose of taking the drugs was for users to vomit “toxins” in a “cleansing ceremony”, the inquest heard.

Witness and ceremony participant James Mackney said he was thinking “was this f--king normal?” when he noticed Mr Antonovich’s swollen “frog face”.

Lore Solaris was the organiser of the retreat where Lismore man Jarrad Antonovich died after consuming kambo frog toxin and ayahuasca.

“I was looking at Jarrad thinking ‘what the f--k’, he looked like a frog,” he said.

“I said to someone – he needs an ambulance.

But Mr Mackney told the inquest Mr Antonovich replied: “No, don’t call an ambulance.”

Surgeon Arthur Richardson told the inquest “very severe” vomiting and straining to vomit could have caused the 40mm hole in Mr Antonovich’s throat.

Dr Richardson said such tears could cause “gas in the neck” and hyperventilation, exacerbating swelling kambo users refer to as “frog face”.

“(Jarrad) would have pain almost immediately,” he said.

Witness Bella Gardner told the inquest on Wednesday that Mr Antonovich’s neck was swollen in line with his jaw as early as 11am on the day. But an ambulance was not called until nearly midnight.

The inquest heard ritual participants drink up to five litres of water to assist in vomiting.

Dr Richardson said fluid could have “percolated” up Mr Antonovich’s neck as he struggled to breath, causing alarming swelling.

The inquest heard on Wednesday that Mr Solaris’s fellow leader Laara Cooper of the “inner circle” arrived to assess Mr Antonovich’s condition.

Former kambo practitioner Laara Cooper had previously administered kambo to Jarrad Antonovich, the coronial inquest heard.

Ms Cooper was described by a witness and participant as the “kambo queen” who was paid for sessions.

Dr Richardson said medical professionals would have realised there was something “seriously wrong” with Mr Antonovich if help was sought earlier.

He said paramedics were equipped to deal with Mr Antonovich’s condition and could have worked to “sustain life”.

On Wednesday, the inquest heard Mr Solaris told Mr Antonovich’s lover, Patrick Santucci, that Jarrad’s death was a “beautiful passing”.

Mr Antonovich’s mother was assisted to leave the courtroom as Mr Santucci gave evidence and the case was adjourned for a time.

Mr Solaris told Mr Santucci that indigenous elder Andrew Johnston “chanted Jarrad’s spirit away” and the “koalas made special noises” as he died.

Mr Johnston said he had attended ayahuasca ceremonies held by Solaris since Mr Antonovich’s death.

Uncle Andrew Johnston denied he "chanted" Jarrad Antonovich's "spirit away" while the Lismore man lay suffering at a kambo ceremony in the Northern Rivers.

He said he did not recall Mr Antonovich vomiting and he did not believe the kambo or ayahuasca caused the fatal tear.

He also denied chanting as Mr Antonovich lay dying and told the inquest at least a dozen people were “comforting” and “massaging” Mr Antonovich throughout the day.

“I felt upset and disturbed that he wasn’t doing well,” he said.

The inquest heard Mr Johnston said when Mr Antonovich complained about the pain, his neck and face badly swollen, “he looked like a frog”.