The leader of a health-based retreat and a ceremony "shaman" are set to give evidence at an inquest after a man died from taking poison and hallucinogenics there.
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Jarrad Antonovich died of a perforated oesophagus after consuming the plant-based psychedelic ayahuasca and frog-based poison kambo at the Dreaming Arts Festival at Arcoora retreat in northern NSW on October 16, 2021.
Retreat organiser Soulore Solaris is expected to give evidence before State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan on Friday, after she heard from other witnesses that he attempted to conceal the ceremony that preceded the 46-year-old's death.
The inquest reconvened on Wednesday after publicity surrounding it in 2023 led to people coming forward with more information.
Lurelle Alefounder said on Thursday that Mr Solaris asked her after the death to visit Mr Antonovich's flatmate and tell him not to reveal to police that an ayahuasca ceremony had taken place.
"I told him, 'no, I'm not doing that'," she told the inquest.
Mr Solaris apologised the next day, she added, and he said he had been trying to protect those involved.
Ceremony conductor Cameron Kite is also due to recount his version of the events leading up to Mr Antonovich's death, after witnesses on Thursday recalled Mr Kite reassuring them Mr Antonovich was being looked after.
Mr Kite's former partner, Chelsea Hope, told the inquest on Wednesday how she had feared people might shift any potential blame towards him.
Ms Hope also recalled hearing Mr Solaris instruct certain people to visit Mr Antonovich's flatmate and tell him to not mention the ceremony he had participated in.
Kambo is typically scraped off the back of a live frog with a stick before its application.
The use of ayahuasca and kambo is based on the traditional knowledge of indigenous South American communities, with adherents believing the substances can clean the body of impurities.
Medical experts, however, say there is no proof the substances do more than make people extremely ill.
Mr Antonovich's family, present in the inquest since Wednesday, are expected to attend the final day of hearings.
Australian Associated Press
