Inquest hears chef took mushrooms before jumping into Thames

An inquest at the Inner West London Coroners' Court has heard details regarding the death of 21-year-old chef Joe Emanuel Cuaspa Vargas, who jumped into the River Thames in June 2025.

Witnesses and investigators stated that Mr. Vargas was with a group of approximately 20 people when he consumed a substantial amount of psychoactive mushrooms. Shortly after, he reportedly shouted, “I can’t go on anymore,” before launching himself into the river near the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park.

A witness described seeing Mr. Vargas struggling and flailing in the water before his hat was seen floating away. Despite the deployment of marine units equipped with thermal imaging cameras, he could not be located immediately. His body was recovered four days later near the Grosvenor Bridge in central London. Police noted there was no indication that anyone in the group had been forced to consume the drugs.