A court in Xativa has archived the open judicial process accusing Nacho Vidal, real name Ignacio Jordà González, of reckless murder. This follows the death of photographer José Luis Abad at his home in Enguera, Valencia, during a shamanic ritual known as the bufo frog ritual. The incident involved extracting a highly hallucinogenic substance and has sparked deep questions about the risks associated with such practices. The court notes that the event could be linked to the ritual but the precise mechanisms remain under review. The case has left open questions about responsibility and the conditions under which the ritual was conducted.
The presiding judge, Francisca Peris, noted that Abad may have voluntarily participated in the ritual and had a history of cocaine use, which produced a negative reaction and possibly contributed to his death. The ruling leaves room for appeal and emphasizes that the file, including forensic findings, is not yet complete for a final determination. The defense counsel for the accused argued that the case should be dismissed and that the forensic report pointed to cocaine use rather than negligence by the accused party.
In the judge’s decision, the forensic officer’s assessment indicates that the substances involved in the ritual were alkaloids that can heighten cardiovascular stress, affecting blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm. The ruling also describes how these substances can influence coronary circulation and muscle perfusion when present in certain physiological conditions.
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The substance in question is described as highly hallucinogenic and capable of altering heart rate. It is considered insufficiently studied from a toxicological standpoint. The coroner’s report acknowledges traces of cocaine in the deceased and notes that the dose and timing suggest use in the days leading up to the ritual and on the day of the event. The death is attributed to a complex interaction of factors, including stimulant use and exposure to the hallucinogenic agent, with no single cause singled out as definitive.
Earlier in March 2021, the judge issued a judicial action known in legal language as an abbreviated procedure, concluding the initial investigations. The ruling suggested that the accused might have committed reckless murder and described the ritual as irrational, dangerous, and conducted without due diligence. Months later, in September, the Valencian Court overturned this decision and ordered the review of expert opinions to clarify, among other things, the properties of the psychoactive compound involved, its effects on the human body, and how ingestion and inhalation alter its behavior. The review confirmed that cocaine had been used by the photographer prior to the event.
The defense, seeking the file, argued that multiple factors contributed to the fatal outcome and that attributing the death solely to the inhalation of the hallucinogenic substance overlooking other risks would be misleading. They stressed that the victim himself created a greater hazard than the alleged acts by the defendant. In the end, the court weighed these points and indicated that a comprehensive explanation was necessary before assigning total responsibility. The decision reflects the complexity of cases that involve party safety, consent, and the unpredictable effects of mixed substance exposure during ritual practices.