Fresh witnesses have come forward over the death of a man after taking poison and hallucinogens at a spiritual health retreat.
An inquest into the death of Jarrad Antonovich on October 16, 2021 was adjourned until May on Tuesday.
Publicity surrounding the inquest has led to people coming forward with information, counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer said.
“Investigators have been able to identify a number of additional witnesses who we anticipate will be able to assist,” Dr Dwyer told the Coroners Court in Lismore in the NSW northern rivers region near where Antonovich died.
The 46-year-old ingested the plant-based psychedelic ayahuasca and frog-based poison kambo at the Dreaming Arts Festival at an Arcoora health retreat shortly before his death.
Dr Dwyer did not have complete information about who else attended when the inquest began.
“The picture is now becoming clearer,” she told the court.
“Police have taken a number of statements from members of the public who want to assist.”
However, their evidence needed to be heard in the “appropriate order” out of fairness to everyone involved, she said, as the inquest seeks to get a clear picture of what happened.
“An inquest is not conducted to condemn a lifestyle or life choices but it is an important part of the coroner’s function to prevent death if at all possible,” Dr Dwyer said.
NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan adjourned the inquest to May.
