Third person dies in Arizona ‘sweatbox’ case

A woman hospitalized after spending time in a sauna-like “sweatbox” has died, bringing the total fatalities to three, authorities said late Saturday.

In addition to the deaths, 18 others were injured at the October 8 event at Angel Valley Retreat Center near Sedona, Arizona.

The latest victim, Lizabeth Neuman, 49, was a Minnesota mother of three. She died at the Flagstaff Medical Center, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said.

There were up to 65 visitors, ages 30 to 60, at the resort attending the “Spiritual Warrior” program by self-help expert James Arthur Ray, according to authorities.

Participants spent up to two hours inside the sweatbox, a dome-like structure covered with tarps and blankets, the sheriff’s office said. Hot rocks and water are used to create steam in the enclosed environment.

Neuman’s attorney, Lou Diesel, told CNN her family is cooperating with the investigation and once it’s complete, he will “take all the appropriate actions in response to those responsible for Liz’s death.“

Fire and rescue officials received an emergency call from the resort and transported the injured by air and land ambulances to nearby medical facilities, the sheriff’s office said. Two people were pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a local medical center.

A homicide investigation into the incident is under way, authorities said. The other retreat participants who were hospitalized have since been released.

Ray is widely known for programs that claim to teach individuals how to create wealth from all aspects of their lives—financially, mentally, physically and spiritually. He has appeared on various national programs, including CNN’s “Larry King Live.“

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Investigators were trying to determine if criminal negligence played a role in the deaths of two people after sitting for several hours in an Arizona resort’s sauna-like sweat lodge.

James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee and Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, N.Y. died Thursday night after being overcome in a sweat lodge during a spiritual cleansing ceremony. Nineteen others were taken to area hospitals, but most were soon released. One remained in critical condition on Saturday.

Yavapai County sheriff Steve Waugh said Saturday that his detectives are focusing on self-help expert and author James Arthur Ray and his staff as they try to determine if there was any criminal negligence. No charges have been filed.

The resort is owned by Michael and Amayra Hamilton, who have declined to comment. Ray’s spokesman expressed condolences Friday, but wouldn’t talk specifically about the deaths. Ray’s company, James Ray International, is based in Carlsbad, California.

Authorities have not determined the cause of the deaths and illnesses, but ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. The incident happened at the Angel Valley Retreat Center just outside scenic Sedona.

Ray rented the facility as part of a five-day “Spiritual Warrior” retreat that promised to “absolutely change your life.“

Waugh said the 64 people who were in the crude sweat lodge had fasted for 36 hours, then ate a breakfast buffet on Thursday morning. After various seminars on Thursday, they entered the sweat lodge at about 3 p.m.

A little more than two hours later, Shore and Brown were taken out of the lodge without a pulse and not breathing. By the time rescue crews reached the remote property, other people also were experiencing medical distress.

A nurse hired by Ray was directing rescue efforts including cardiopulmonary resuscitation when emergency crews arrived, Waugh said. Shore and Brown were pronounced dead when they arrived at a hospital.

An autopsy was conducted on Friday, but the results are pending additional tests.

The 19 others who were taken to hospitals suffered from various ailments, including respiratory arrest, kidney failure or elevated body temperature.