Inquest Suspended Over Kambo Frog Poison Death at Dreaming Arts Festival

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will consider whether charges should be laid over the death of Jarrad Antonovich, who passed away after consuming kambo frog poison at the Dreaming Arts Festival near Kyogle in October, 2021.

A coronial inquest has previously heard he used kambo and ayahuasca, both psychedelic substances, while at the festival organized by Lore Solaris.

Mr. Solaris was scheduled to give evidence at the inquest today, but NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan suspended the case and referred the matter to the DPP.

Kambo, the dried skin secretions of the Amazonian giant leaf frog, was classified as a prohibited substance in Australia in October 2021, shortly before Mr. Antonovich‘s death.

At that time, the Therapeutic Goods Administration labeled it as a substance of significant danger to health warranting prohibition. Kambo proponents apply the poison after creating small burns on the skin, leading to severe vomiting.

The inquest previously disclosed that on the day of his death, Mr. Antonovich participated in the kambo ceremony, receiving points of the poison on burn marks by 5pm.

Witnesses confirmed Mr. Antonovich required assistance to stand and later passed away on a mattress at the venue as an ayahuasca ceremony was ongoing.

The decision to involve the DPP was welcomed by the Antonovich family, expressing relief for the culmination of the ordeal and emphasizing the wish for avoiding similar tragedies.

State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan previously emphasized the importance of seeking medical assistance in such emergencies, highlighting that prompt action could have saved Mr. Antonovich‘s life.