The Strange Case of the Sweat Lodge Deaths

Two people strangely died Thursday evening after being overcome in a crudely built sauna-like sweat lodge during a spiritual cleansing ceremony at Angel Valley Retreat Center, a scenic Arizona resort. Authorities on Saturday identified them as 38-year-old Kirby Brown of Westtown, N.Y. and 40-year-old James Shore of Milwaukee, a director of business development at an Internet marketing company. They had paid between $9,000 and $10,000 to attend.

Nineteen other people were taken to hospitals, suffering from burns, dehydration, respiratory arrest, kidney failure or elevated body temperature. Most were soon released, but one remained in critical condition Saturday. (As a footnote, that person crossed over on October 18, and police announced they are treating all three deaths as homicides.)

Yavapai County Sheriff, Steve Waugh, said Saturday, “Detectives are focusing on self-help author James Arthur Ray and his staff as we try to determine if criminal negligence played a role. Between 55 and 65 people were crowded into the 415-square-foot space during a two-hour period that included various spiritual exercises led by Ray.” Waugh added that Ray refused to speak with authorities and has since left the state.

Brown was an avid surfer and hiker who was excellent physical shape. “She had no pre-existing health conditions that would have kept her from participating in an otherwise safe activity,” said a family spokesman. “That two people died and 19 others became ill indicates that something went horribly wrong.”

Autopsies on Brown and Shore were conducted Friday, but the results weren’t disclosed pending additional tests. Authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide poising as the cause and said participants were highly encouraged but not forced to remain in the sweat lodge for the entire time.

Ray and his staff had built the sweat lodge with a wood frame and covered it with layers of tarps and blankets, Waugh said. The sweat lodge – a structure commonly used by American Indian tribes to cleanse the body and prepare for hunts, ceremonies and other events – was 53 inches high at the center and about 30 inches high around the outer edges.

Joseph Bruchac, author of The Native American Sweat Lodge: History and Legends, said, “The number of participants in the lodge is appalling. If you put people in a restrictive, airtight structure, you are going to use up all the oxygen. If you're doing a sweat, you’re going to use it up that much faster. American Indian sweat lodges typically hold about 12 people and are covered with blankets made of natural materials, such as cotton or wool, so the air flow isn't restricted. I don’t see how the person running that lodge could have been aware of the health and well-being of that many people.”

Owners Michael and Amayra Hamilton had rented the retreat center to Ray for his five-day ‘Spiritual Warrior’ retreat that promised to “absolutely change your life.”

Well, that turned out to be true. A fascinating case of exit points taken … and during a spiritual event, no less.

Way to go!

Update: October 24

Sydney Spencer, a survivor, spoke in a TV interview on 10/21 of the cramped space and sweltering heat, and how people around her were collapsing and vomiting. Mr. Ray, while not physically preventing people from leaving, exhorted them to return to the sweat and tough it out. He said the event was all about pushing people beyond their limits. However, it turns out the physical body does have limits and will push back if over-taxed. The local sheriff's department is treating the case as a triple homicide, and is eager to talk to Mr. Ray.

Comments

[Mary Elizabeth]

I would love to hear from a medium that has contacted the three "deceased" from the lodge to get their perspective. Talk about some very valuable soul lessons all around!