James Arthur Ray, Convicted ‘Guru’ Linked to 2009 Sweat Lodge Deaths, Passes Away

CAMP VERDE, AZ — James Arthur Ray, a controversial figure in the self-help industry, passed away on January 3 at the age of 67. His sister announced the news via a statement on his official X account the following day. Ray was notorious for hosting a sweat lodge retreat in October 2009 that led to the tragic deaths of three participants at the Angel Valley Retreat Center, located near Sedona.

Ray came into the public eye as a motivational speaker and featured narrator in the documentary “The Secret,” which promoted the law of attraction. He gained additional fame through appearances on popular talk shows, including “Oprah.” Over the years, he led “Spiritual Warrior” retreats, charging up to $10,000 for participation.

The event in question turned deadly on October 8, 2009, when emergency responders were called to the retreat to address multiple cases of heat exhaustion among participants. A total of 21 individuals were hospitalized for ailments ranging from dehydration to kidney failure. Tragically, Kirby Brown, 38; James Shore, 40; and Lizbeth Neuman, 49, succumbed to their injuries—Neuman later dying in a medical facility on October 17.

In the aftermath of the incident, Ray faced significant legal challenges. He was arrested on February 3, 2010, following an indictment on three counts of manslaughter. Initially required to post a bond of $5 million, this amount was later reduced to $525,000, which he paid.

The subsequent trial, which began in March 2011 after delays, garnered national attention. Prosecutors called 34 witnesses to establish that Ray failed to ensure the safety of participants, despite being aware of heightened risks. Evidence included testimony about attendees experiencing severe distress, while Ray reportedly downplayed the dangers, suggesting that participants might “feel like [they] are going to die.”

Ray’s defense contended that other factors could have caused the fatalities, such as potential toxins from the construction materials of the sweat lodge. Ultimately, the jury found Ray guilty of three counts of negligent homicide rather than the original manslaughter charges, leading to a sentence of two years in prison.

Alongside his criminal conviction, Ray faced civil lawsuits, settling with the victims’ families for over $3 million—an amount paid by his insurance. Despite an appeal citing prosecutorial misconduct, Ray’s conviction was upheld, and he was released from prison in July 2013 after serving approximately 87% of his sentence.

Ray attempted to revive his career in the self-help domain, making a public appearance on CNN four years after his release. His civil rights were restored in 2017, although his conviction remained intact. His controversial past and the events surrounding the deaths of Brown, Shore, and Neuman were documented in CNN Films’ “Enlighten Us: The Rise and Fall of James Arthur Ray” and the podcast “Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment.”

The announcement of his passing notably omits any mention of the trials, convictions, or the lives lost due to his sweat lodge event. A post on his X account expresses sorrow and shock from friends and family, reflecting on Ray’s larger-than-life persona.