3rd Victim Overcome in Sweat Lodge Dies

SEDONA - A Minnesota woman who had remained in critical condition after becoming overcome in a Sedona, Ariz. sweat lodge died Saturday.

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The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office says 49-year-old Lizabeth Neuman, from Prior Lake, Minn., passed away at the Flagstaff Medical Center. Her family had said Neuman had been in a coma after suffering organ damage.

On October 8, Neuman was one of several people hospitalized after spending hours in a sweat lodge at the Angel Valley Retreat Center. The event was hosted by self-help guru James Arthur Ray, and participants paid more than $9,000 to attend the 5-day "spiritual enlightment" seminar.

On Sunday, a lawyer for Neuman's family said a lawsuit is planned on her behalf. Flagstaff attorney Louis Diesel said that it's clear appropriate measures were not taken to prevent Neuman's death. Diesel said Neuman was healthy, athletic and didn't have any underlying medical problems.

Andrea Puckett, Neuman's daughter, said in a statement, "She always had a smile on her face and her positive attitude was contagious to those around her."

On James Arthur Ray's facebook page Sunday, he wrote, "She'll be cherished and remembered by all. Liz, you're in our hearts forever." Neuman was the leader of Ray's "Journey Expansion" team in Minneapolis.

Two others have died -- 38-year-old Kirby Brown of Westtown, N.Y. and 40-year-old James Shore of Milwaukee. Funerals for both victims were held in their hometowns Saturday. Their autopsy results are pending.

Everyone else who was hospitalized has since been released.

Interview with an attendee

Shawna Bowen was supposed to be inside that sweat lodge, but was running late. When she got there, she saw paramedics rushing in to help dozens of people sick from sitting in the sweat lodge for two hours.

"Just sick and not wanting to stand up," says Bowen, who used to be a die-hard James Ray supporter before the sweat lodge tragedy. "They were just laying down and looked very ill," she recalls.

Some of Bowen's friends had invited her to take part in the ceremony, but she showed up late because she was working.

Bowen thinks that may have saved her life. "I've also thought about what it would have been like if I had been in there, and what my circumstances would have been."

Bowen described James Arthur Ray standing by as the trouble unfolded. "He seemed kind of shocked at what he was watching. He seemed concerned."

Fingers point at retreat host

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office is now investigating the deaths as homicide -- an expansion of the initial accidental death inquiry. James Arthur Ray is being called a person of interest, and while some of his supporters are standing by him, others have cited a change of heart.

Authorities are trying to determine whether criminal negligence played a part in the fatalities. Charges have yet to be filed.

The motivational speaker has continued giving seminars and has told his followers that this is a very trying time and he's been praying and meditating over the incident.