Retreat Leader Charged in Kambo Death

0:00This is Corey, with Sydney News. Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Jared Antonovitch died in October 2021 at a wellness retreat near Kyogl and northern New South Wales. He had taken combo frog toxin and ayahuasca during a week-long festival. The 52-year-old retreat leader, Solora Solaris, now faces manslaughter charges and will appear in court on March 30. These substances often cause intense vomiting in Antonovitch's case that led to a perforated esophagus which proved fatal. Solaris was not directly involved in the combo part, but allowed Antonovitch to try ayahuasca again even though he was already very unwell. Friends and witnesses remembered Antonovitch as a friendly lismore resident. His death, along with another from combo in 2019, has spotlighted the dangers of these rituals and the need for quick medical care. An inquest into the death paused in May 2024, so prosecutors could take over. Police raided a related property that November,

1:01and health officials issued a permanent ban on Solaris for unsafe practices. Solaris, whose real name is Peter George McIntyre, recently published a book on ayahuasca journeys. He was arrested this week but got conditional bail while the case moves forward. This story is made possible by our sponsor. It is a pillow that plays your podcast and music without ear buds. Built for listening and bed, S-O-L-L-I,