Sweat Lodge Tragedy Time Line
Kinerk, Schmidt & Sethi, PLLC, the law firm representing Sidney Spencer and Dennis Mehravar, have created a Web site for the purpose of soliciting interviews from other participants.
Many of my readers have asked me to continue keeping them informed on any new developments on this story. So, of course I will continue to report updates regarding the Arizona sweat lodge tragedy that occurred in October as soon as I know about them. I have gathered past reports and compiled this time line. I will expand the time line as additional news to this sad story unfolds. I welcome additional news updates from readers to keep everyone informed. Please post related news you become aware of under comments to help me make this time line current. Thanks!
October 8 - James Ray leads a sweat lodge ceremony inside a dome-shaped structure constructed at Angel Valley. There were approximately 50 to 60 participants. Twenty one of these individuals were taken to area hospitals after becoming ill for treatment. Two people died, a few others remained hospitalized. At least one person was placed under critical care.
October 11 - James Ray posts his condolences - from his blog: "I wish to express my deepest heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives as well as offer my prayers for a speedy recovery for those who were taken ill. "
October 13 - First hand account shared of the aftermath of this tragic event. Sedona Talk Radio broadcasts Shawna Bowen's personal experience of what was happening on the scene. Shawna arrived at Angel Valley shortly after the sickened sweat participants had exited from the sweat lodge. Jim Tree, representative from the Native American Leadership Alliance, is also featured in this radio broadcast to give background about how a traditional sweat lodge is run.
October 15 - James Ray holds a private phone conference with surviving sweat participants. (Anorak -transcript of call)
October 18 - Third victim injured in sweat lodge dies following several days in a coma in hospital. Her family takes steps to file a lawsuit on her behalf.
October 20 - James Ray vows to continue his mission - from his blog: "I have chosen to continue with my work. It's too important not to. One of the lessons I teach is that you have to confront and embrace adversity and learn and grow from it. I promise you I am doing a lot of learning and growing. I have taken heat for that decision, but if I chose to lock myself in my home, I am sure I would be criticized for hiding and not practicing what I preach."
October 21 - Eyewitness speaks publicly about what occurred inside the sweat lodge. Beverley Bunn speaks to the Associated Press.
October 23 - The Arizona Republic reports insights into the life of sweat lodge guru James Ray.
October 26 - Attorney for sweat participant, Sidney Spencer, announces plans for pending lawsuit. Family of victim Kirby Brown appeared as guest on the Larry King Show (video clip).
October 27 - US Senator asks for federal investigation into James Ray's business. Hyperion publishing house postpones publication of James Ray's new book, The Seven Laws of True Wealth.
October 28 - James Ray cancels upcoming scheduled events - from his blog: I'm postponing all the events I had planned for the remainder of 2009. These events will be rescheduled as soon as possible in 2010--once the essential work that must be done on the Sedona tragedy has been completed.
October 29 - Prayer sessions in sweat lodge violates city zoning laws. You have to wonder if the media attention drawn from the Sedona sweat lodge tragedy will have a domino effect on shutting down sweat ceremonies. Owners of Flowering Tree Lodge in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, have held three or four gatherings a month in their backyard for several years, but no more, the city has shut it down.
October 30 - Two lawsuits filed. Wrongful death suit filed in Flagstaff, Arizona court came from the family of one of the three people who died. Another suit filed by Tucson attorney Ted Schmidt, names James Ray and Angel Valley owners Amayra and Michael Hamilton as defendants. More legal action from others is likely to follow.
November 2 - Lakota Nation leaders file lawsuit against the US government in Phoenix AZ (seepdf file) against the United States, US attorney general, AZ governor, US attorney general, James Arthur Ray, and Angel Valley Retreat Center. The lawsuit refers to the Treaty of Fort Laramie between the United States and the Lakota Nation from 1868, which states that "if bad men among the whites or other people subject to the authority of the United States shall commit any wrong upon the person or the property of the Indians, the United States will (...) proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States, and also reimburse the injured person for the loss sustained."
November 2 - Native Americans fear sweat lodges are going to be regulated. "This is part of our religion," Cheyenne Medicine Man Eugene Blackbear said. "We don't want someone coming in here and making new laws, restricting our sweat lodge. You don't have to burn someone out in a sweat, or keep them from leaving. That's not right. A sweat is about prayer and healing."
November 4 - James Ray puts his multi-million dollar Beverly Hills home on the market. There is speculation building regarding reasons Ray might be selling a home he purchased in March of this year.
November 6 - Ernie Stensgar and other members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council denounce the exploitation of simulated sweat lodge ceremonies and other Native American traditions. (reported in CDAPress
November 10 - Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh says investigators are working diligently on hundreds of interviews with people who were involved in the retreat or any of James Ray's past events. (AP - WTOP Radio)
November 11 - Third person sues James Ray. Canadian, Dennis Mehravar, has joined the earlier civil law suit filed in Flagstaff AZ on behalf of Sidney Spencer. Mehravar passed out in the sweat lodge, was hospitalized, and is still experiencing pain and dizziness. This looks like the beginning of a possible class action suit.
November 13 - Kinerk, Schmidt & Sethi, PLLC, the law firm representing Sidney Spencer and Dennis Mehravar, have created a Web site for the purpose of soliciting interviews from other participants.
As of today (11/5), Ray’s house in California which he purchased earlier this year for $4.5 million is now on the market for over $5 million. There’s no indication that this is directly related to the lawsuits, but I would not be surprised if this move was occasioned by the possibility of settlement in those suits.
James Ray’s father has the exact same job…self-help guru.
http://www.agordonray.com
Sweat lodges are going to be regulated?? It’s the new age LGAT industry that needs to be regulated!! I am furious about this story, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Native American religious practices. It’s all about greed, ego, and unqualified “leaders” putting others at extreme risk. That sweatbox was NOT a Native American ceremony. It was a scam and a hoax.
The whole thing is sad and ridiculous. The people who died were adults. They signed waivers — not contracts of bondage. If they wanted to leave, they could and should have left. It reminds me of the people suing McDonald’s for selling food that made them fat. I think that everyone in the tent is responsible, not just the leader.
Sweat lodges are generally wonderful, sacred ceremonies. Any ceremony can be abused and held with bad intent, whether it is held by a native or not. The condemnation from the tribes is just as disheartening as the lawsuits: this was man’s mistake. Period. His genetics have nothing to do with it. I have heard of irresponsibly led native ceremonies, too.
Also, to try to OWN sweats as purely native american is not right — celtic and slavic/nordic cultures also have spiritual sweat rite traditions.
Everyone needs to grow up, and stop looking to blame everyone else.
I really enjoyed reading your post healinggreen. That’s the kind of attitude I like to see. Non-judgementalness [if there is such a word] is rare in this world.
This website is collecting information from others who have experience with James Ray and JRI.
http://sweatlodgeinvestigation.com/
James Ray is only concern about one element,,,,,,
“Money”!!!!
He hides behind religious Gods and believes,,,,steels information from the traditions of many sincere people to write his books!!,,,
Yet he only has one God ,,,,”Greed”!!!!
It’s great to see his true color revealed!!