Investigation Continues: Family Probing Death of Third Sweat Lodge Victim
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- by Nathan Gonzalez ~ The Arizona Republic
Nine days before succumbing to a coma and damage to multiple organs sustained during a sweat-lodge ceremony near Sedona, Lizbeth Neuman prided herself on leading a healthy and active lifestyle, her family and an attorney said Sunday.
Instead, the Prior Lake, Minn., woman died Saturday in a Flagstaff hospital bed surrounded by family, said Louis Diesel, an attorney hired by Neuman’s family.
“Liz was a 49-year-old beautiful woman who was active, healthy and enjoyed the outdoors,” Diesel said Sunday.
Neuman was among dozens who crowded into a sweat lodge Oct. 8 at the Angel Valley Retreat Center. In addition to Neuman, Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, N.Y., and James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee, died shortly after being rescued from the lodge.
“She always had a smile on her face, and her positive attitude was contagious to those around her,” Neuman’s family said in statement. “She was loved and will be missed by many.”
“These deaths were totally preventable,” Diesel said. ”When we complete our investigation, we will take whatever steps are necessary to hold those individuals that caused this accountable. It’s unforgivable what took place.”
Yavapai County Sheriff’s investigators are also looking into the construction of the sweat lodge because people have fallen ill during previous ceremonies led by self-help guru and author James Arthur Ray, who hosted the event. Authorities hope to determine whether criminal negligence contributed to the deaths and illnesses of more than 20 people.
Authorities have said a nurse hired by Ray was directing rescue efforts, including CPR, when emergency crews arrived.
Ray’s spokesman deferred comment Sunday to Ray’s Facebook page where he wrote that he was deeply saddened by Neuman’s death.
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