Lismore, NSW – A recent coroner’s report uncovered concerning practices in the alternative healing industry involving frog poison ceremonies that have led to tragic outcomes. The tragic death of Natasha Lechner, 39, in 2019 during a kambo ceremony has shed light on the dangers associated with this South American ritual. Despite the belief in its healing properties, multiple fatalities in Australia have raised alarms about the lack of safety measures in place during these ceremonies.
At a three-day inquest held at Lismore courthouse in May, 2023, State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan revealed that Natasha Lechner’s untimely death was a result of a fatal cardiac event triggered by the kambo frog toxin. Ms. Lechner, who had long battled chronic health issues, had turned to alternative medicine in search of relief. Her interest in kambo led her to become a practitioner herself, emphasizing the seriousness with which she approached this practice.
During the fatal kambo ritual that claimed her life, Ms. Lechner experienced symptoms of distress shortly after the toxin was administered, ultimately losing consciousness before paramedics could intervene. The lack of regulation surrounding kambo at the time of her death raised concerns about the safety and qualifications of those administering such ceremonies. The subsequent ban on the manufacture, supply, and use of kambo in NSW aimed to prevent further tragedies like Ms. Lechner’s.
Coroner O’Sullivan highlighted the vulnerability of individuals drawn to these ceremonies, noting that many facilitators may pose as healers without adequate training in handling emergencies. The risks associated with such practices were underscored by another ongoing inquest into the death of Jarrad Antonovich, who ingested ayahuasca and kambo before his passing in October 2021. As more details emerge from these investigations, the need for stricter regulations in the alternative healing industry becomes increasingly apparent to prevent future tragedies.