A 49-year-old Prior Lake, Minnesota woman, Liz Neuman, is the third victim to die following a seminar led by James Arthur Ray. The Spiritual Warrior retreat cost Liz $9,000 and her life, after she and 65 other participants spent over two hours in a sweat lodge.
Neuman was not a first time participant. In fact, she served as a leader of a Minneapolis area Journey Expansion Team, developed by Ray’s followers who would meet to exchange ideas on his principles. It was just one of many such sites scattered across the country.
James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Kirby Brown, 38, from Westtown, New York died on October 8, 2009 – see photos and details here.
Neuman was taken to a Flagstaff hospital, where she remained in a coma, suffering from multiple organ failure until her death on Saturday, October 17 – nine days after falling gravely ill.
According to her family attorney, Louis Diesel, the Minnesota woman was extremely athletic and in excellent health when she signed on for the new age spiritual program. The divorced mother of three did not suffer from any medical problems prior to the retreat. Diesel told reporters that he will file a lawsuit on behalf of the Neuman family.
Investigators continue to look into James Arthur Ray’s past, including the fact that people have fallen ill previously at other sweat ceremonies. If it is determined that criminal negligence contributed to the deaths and illnesses, charges could be brought against the program organizers. Sheriff Steve Waugh has said that Ray is the primary focus of the probe but others, including an on-site nurse, are also being investigated.
According to program literature, the pricey retreats were “meant to push people beyond their physical and emotional limits.”
UPDATE February 3, 2010 – James Ray was arrested Wednesday after a grand jury indictment charging him with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of three participants in an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony he organized. Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh took him into custody at Camp Verde Detention Center. His bond has been set at $5 million.
Photo gallery below. MORE PHOTOS HERE.