Sweat Lodge Deaths: Victim's Daughter Wants James Arthur Ray "Behind Bars"

By: Sammy Rose Saltzman
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Family Photo)

Family Photo: Liz Neuman.

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) The daughter of Liz Neuman, a Prior Lake, Minn. woman who died after participating in an Arizona sweat-lodge ceremony said she wants New Age guru James Arthur Ray behind bars.

PICTURES: Sweat Lodge Deaths

Authorities are investigating the Oct. 8 ceremony at Angel Valley Resort near Sedona, Ariz. led by Ray, a motivational speaker. Three participants died and 18 were hospitalized after the event. The deaths have been ruled homicide by local law enforcement.

"I would like to honestly see him behind bars. I think that what he did was negligent and resulted in the deaths of three people," Neuman's daughter, Andrea Puckett, told KARE-TV in Minneapolis.

"I would like to see him not doing his work anymore, I don't think he should do this to other people," she told the station.

The family plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Ray in the near future. Ray's attorney, Brad Brian, told The Associated Press that all the participants were fully informed of the health risks that could be posed by sweat lodges - and said Ray was not responsible for the design or maintenance of the lodge in question.

"None of this changes the reality that this was a terrible accident, but we hope everyone will resist a rush to judgment until all of the facts are known," Brian said.

Neuman, 49, died at a Flagstaff hostpial more than a week after the ceremony. Two other victims died at a hospital the night of the ceremony: Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, N.Y., and James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee.

(JamesRay.com)

Photo:James Arthur Ray.

In all, between 55 and 65 people took part in the sweat-lodge ceremony, the highlight of a five-day program at the private retreat near Sedona. Participants and law enforcement officials previously told The Associated Press that the two-hour ceremony degenerated into chaos as people became sick, but were encouraged by Ray to stay inside for the entire time.

PICTURES: Sweat Lodge Deaths

Neuman's relatives said she faithfully followed the teachings of Ray, an author whose "Spiritual Warrior" program encouraged participants to realize their potential. Puckett said her mother, who had attended previous retreats led by Ray, had become a leader in his organization.

"She always comes back rejuvenated and ready to tackle life," Puckett said. But, she added, her mother "trusted Mr. Ray to lead the sweat-lodge appropriately."

She said Ray didn't call the family until a day after her mother died.

PICTURES: Sweat Lodge Deaths

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 28, 2009 - Sweat Lodge Victim's Family: Guru James Arthur Ray Lied to Us
October 26, 2009 - Sweat Lodge Guru James Arthur Ray: From Poor Childhood to Self-Help Millionaire
October 26, 2009 - Sweat-Lodge Deaths Won't Stop James Arthur Ray, No Mention of $9,000 Per Person Pricetag
October 23, 2009 - Sweat Lodge Hero? Victim May Have Saved Woman Before Dying, Says Participant Beverley Bunn
October 21, 2009 - Sweat Lodge Survivor Beverley Bunn Says James Arthur Ray Played God Before Deadly Ending
October 18, 2009 - Third Death from Sweat Lodge Ceremony Led by James Arthur Ray
October 16, 2009 - Self-Help Guru James Arthur Ray in Crosshairs of Angel Valley Sweat Lodge Homicide Investigation
October 15, 2009 - Desperate 911 Call: First Glimpse Into Angel Valley Sweat Lodge Deaths
October 13, 2009 - Angel Valley Sweat Lodge Deaths: Owner Didn't Have Permits
October 12, 2009 - Sweat Lodge Death Investigation Turns to Self-Help Guru James Arthur Ray
October 12, 2009 - Family Says New Yorker Kirby Brown was in Great Shape before Mysterious Sweat Lodge Death
October 9, 2009 - Angel Valley Resort: Two Dead, Many Hospitalized in Sedona Sweat Lodge Illness

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by JasonDaro February 27, 2010 2:58 AM EST: In forum after forum I encounter the ignorant who blindly claim that James Arthur Ray is a charlatan, fraud, scam artist. Well, I feel it is time for you supposed ?experts? to put this matter to rest. I feel it?s time for YOU to review Mr Ray?s DVD Harmonic Wealth and establish, once and for all, that James Arthur Ray is indeed a charlatan scam artist. It should be no problem for you ?wise guys? to make it clear point by point just how Mr Ray is a charlatan fraud. It should be no problem for you to do this at all, right? You are the experts, right? You can clearly see the truth the ignorant can?t, right? You are among the Super Wise Superheros of the ignorant. So, let?s all see your evaluation point by point. I?m on the edge of my seat!

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How about I give you a clue before you start. You?re not going to find ANY EVIDENCE in the DVD Harmonic Wealth that James Arthur Ray is a charlatan, fraud.

Next you will be required to logically explain how a person can die of dehydration in twenty-minutes when the person is?

surrounded by water!

That should be easy enough for you hot shots, right? Face it. There is only ONE WAY people can die of dehydration while surrounded by water and that is if?

THEY DON?T DRINK THE WATER!!!

It should not be James Arthur Ray?s responsibility to know when people are dying of thirst and refuse to drink water.

THAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU KNOW IT!; Reply to this comment


by mcdanel_1771 November 3, 2009 11:07 AM EST: Hogi2, I was so glad to read your comment. I've used a home made Finnish sauna, but I've never sweated. None the less, when I saw that blue plastic tarp I was stunned. Even I know a sweat lodge is supposed to be permiable, that you can call for the entrance to be opened, and you can leave or return as you wish. These people surrendered their will to Mr. Ray voluntarily, but they did so on the assumption that he knew what he was doing. In one interview he said that some of the participants had had truly remarkable experiences...I think it's safe to say they all had a remarkable experience! Unfortunately, there's nothing here to support a murder charge. At 9-10,000 per person, there's hardly any advantage in killing his marks (excuse me, clients), but hopefully he'll get the max on manslaughter, with consecutive rather than concurrent terms. With any luck, the civil cases will also strip him of his wealth.; Reply to this comment


by hogi2 November 1, 2009 11:30 AM EST: The design and construction of the lodge is the key factor in this tragedy. I have sweated for almost two decades and in those years have built and rebuild lodges many times. The use of a plastic tarp created the danger in that it shut out the air; a lodge needs to breath. The specifics of the construction of the lodge is passed down in the same way as the ceremony itself. Questions need to be asked as to where Ray got his design, what research did he do that made him think plastic was ok. These questions assume that he was in charge of the building of the lodge in the first place. If someone else built the lodge Ray still ( as the man pouring water) had the responsibility to see that it was done correctly. The sweatlodge at Ray's event was only one aspect of the retreat; if the people that attended the seminar were not familiar with sweatlodges and their construction there would be no reason for them to not trust Ray. Ray takes credit for all the "transformations" that his people experience; he needs to take responsibility for this as well.; Reply to this comment


by WisCT October 29, 2009 4:47 PM EDT: Wow. People still drink the kool-aid.; Reply to this comment


by lmartink October 29, 2009 3:17 PM EDT: In a criminal case, what's at issue here, is whether the victims were forcibly restrained from leaving the sweat lodge.

A civil case is the only thing that may affect this arrogant, uncaring, greedy, egocentirc nutcase and make him pay through the nose. In this case, the psychological effects that a crazy fundamentalist like this could come out, into the harsh light of day.; Reply to this comment


by stupa3 October 29, 2009 3:15 PM EDT: Hang him high; Reply to this comment


by all_father October 29, 2009 2:08 PM EDT: I'm not one to believe everybody should sue anytime they break a fingernail, but I hope more victims of this crook will seek damages from him. He needs to be forced into bankruptcy, slammed out of "business" (although it's a stretch to define what he does as anything close to a business), and prosecuted in a criminal court for the tragedy in Arizona.

Ray's attorney claiming that he is not responsible for the design and maintenance of the sweat lodge are invalid. Ray accepted money from his clients, so he is indeed responsible for the safety and health of those clients.; Reply to this comment


by Hosheen October 29, 2009 11:26 AM EDT: This con man and scam artist should be in jail. If for no other reasons, for fraud and larceny by trick.

What amazes me is how people can fall for something as obviously fake as this alpha-hotel of a shameless crook. But as H.L. Mencken said, "No one ever lost money underestimating the intelligence of the American public."; Reply to this comment