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Retreat Operator Charged with Manslaughter Following 2021 Death During Ceremonial Ritual

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Manslaughter Charge Laid After Death at Ceremonial Ritual

Soulore Solaris, 52, also known as Peter George McIntyre, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Jarrad Antonovich, 45, which occurred during a ceremonial ritual in October 2021. The charge follows an investigation into Mr. Antonovich's death at a property near Kyogle in New South Wales, where police allege Mr. Solaris supplied prohibited substances and delayed seeking medical treatment.

The charge follows an investigation into Jarrad Antonovich's death during a ceremonial ritual, with police alleging the supply of prohibited substances and delayed medical intervention.

The Incident

Jarrad Antonovich died on October 16, 2021, after consuming kambo and ayahuasca at the Arcoora retreat in Collins Creek, NSW, during an event identified as the Dreaming Arts Festival. A NSW Coronial inquest later determined that Mr. Antonovich died from a perforated esophagus.

Police allege that Mr. Solaris presided over the ritual and provided Mr. Antonovich with ayahuasca. Furthermore, police claim Mr. Solaris delayed seeking medical assistance for Mr. Antonovich after his health deteriorated following the consumption of the substances.

Legal Developments

Mr. Solaris was arrested in Coorabell, NSW, on Tuesday. He has been charged with manslaughter and subsequently granted bail.

Conditions for his bail include reporting to police three times a week, a prohibition on leaving the country, and a $20,000 security agreement. Mr. Solaris is scheduled to appear in Lismore Local Court on March 30. Prior to these charges, the state’s Health Care Complaints Commission had issued a ban preventing Mr. Solaris from providing any health services to the public.

The Substances Under Scrutiny

The substances reportedly consumed by Mr. Antonovich were kambo and ayahuasca. Both are classified as prohibited in Australia:

  • Kambo: Derived from the skin secretions of an Amazonian tree frog, kambo is traditionally used in some South American cultures for purging or cleansing rituals. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) classifies kambo as a Schedule 10 poison, indicating it is banned from use. It was classified as a prohibited substance in Australia in 2021, approximately two weeks before Mr. Antonovich's death.
  • Ayahuasca: This plant-based brew, native to South America, is known for its powerful hallucinogenic properties. It was banned in Australia in 2022.

Both substances are associated with traditional Indigenous South American practices, with some adherents believing they offer bodily detoxification.

Coronial Investigation

Mr. Antonovich’s death was the subject of a NSW Coronial Inquiry. The inquiry investigated whether excessive vomiting, a known effect associated with kambo and ayahuasca ceremonies, contributed to the esophageal tear that resulted in his death. The inquest was suspended in May 2024, with the coroner finding sufficient evidence to refer the matter for criminal charges.