On the afternoon of April 23, Ibizan authorities discovered the body of a 58-year-old man who resided on the island but was born elsewhere. The man, who lived in the municipality of Santa Eulària, had been reported by a friend as having collapsed, initially raising concerns of a possible heart attack. Forensic work by the legal medical institute and Ibiza courts, however, determined the cause to be ingestion of a toxin produced by the Bufo alvarius toad, commonly known as the Colorado River toad.
Although poisonings from this amphibian’s secretions have historically occurred during communal celebrations or ritual events, this case appears not to involve a group. The victim was found alone in the vicinity of his residence.
near your home
The body was located in a woodland area near the man’s home in Roca Llisa, a finding confirmed by the Ibiza Civil Guard. Investigators observed that the deceased was alone and had consumed the toxin without assistance from others.
Visual inspection by officers led to the conclusion that the death did not happen due to natural causes. Consequently, the case was referred to forensic doctors of the courts to establish the exact cause of death.
The emergency call was logged at 16:44 on April 23. A friend of the deceased told Santa Eulària Local Police that he had searched the surrounding area after realizing the man was missing from his home in Roca Llisa and had likely found him unconscious in the forest.
analysis of toilets
Police sources indicate that the friend reported seeing the victim earlier that day. Once the news was confirmed, emergency protocol was activated and medical personnel who arrived at the scene reported the death as not being due to natural causes. The matter therefore progressed to the Civil Guard.
The body was cremated in Ibiza on May 1, a development announced by the family via social networks.
The toad toxin ingestion rituals associated with such findings sometimes involve the animal secreting venom through its skin, which can be inhaled or absorbed. In some instances, this substance has been described as producing hallucinogenic effects that are sought in certain settings for recreational purposes or in attempts to address addictions. A separate, widely reported case involved a photographer who died after exposure to a similar toxin in the home of a public figure known for adult entertainment. Authorities emphasize that these practices are dangerous and illegal.