On October 8, 2009, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported medical emergency at the Angel Valley Resort located off of Highway 89a at Deer Pass Road, Sedona.
The original call regarding this incident came into the YCSO Communications Center from Sedona Fire Dispatch. The call time was 5:26 PM, October 8th.
Fire and EMS personnel were in the process of treating and transporting several injured persons from the scene. Deputies learned that those injured had been part of a larger group housed in a “sweatbox” type structure located on the property. The structure is framed in a dome like shape and covered with tarps and blankets. Hot rocks are used with water to create steam in the enclosed environment. Approximately 64 people were inside the dome, up to two hours, when several fell ill. An emergency call from the retreat center was made to fire personnel due to concern about the health of these individuals.
Approximately 21 retreat participants were transported by air and ambulance to area hospitals including the Verde Valley and Flagstaff Medical Center. Thursday night, two of those transported to the Verde Valley Medical Center were pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The two dead were a middle aged man and woman. Identification is pending notification to family members. At this time, there is no indication minors were involved in the incident. Verde Valley Medical Center recently released the final patient from their hospital. The condition of those admitted to Flagstaff Medical is not known at this time.
A man identified as James Ray hosted this particular group and rented the facility from the owners of the Angel Valley retreat center. Some attendees told detectives they paid up to $9000.00 for their stay and participation in the program. James Ray was inside the dome when the medical emergencies occurred. He was interviewed by detectives Thursday night and has left the facility.
YCSO Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section arrived on scene Thursday night to begin a death investigation and attempt to ascertain the specific cause of the deaths and injuries. As a result, the retreat area is closed to the press and public. Detectives will be consulting with medical examiners and other health officials as the investigation moves forward. They have also been interviewing the retreat director, staff and participants regarding the incident. Detectives are also obtaining a search warrant to check for additional evidence within various buildings at the site, and also attempting to determine if there are any criminal actions that may have been a factor in the injuries and deaths.
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Comments
Dear James Ray
As an Native American woman, I ask why you feel qualified to take something so beautiful from my people and exploit it? Charging money for a native ceremony, really? Are you Native American? Have you been raised with our traditions? Do you know what the protocol is for someone who wants to run a sweat lodge and the years of preparing it takes? My thoughts are NO, and that is why these poor individuals fell ill and died in your hands, because of your greed. It is so sad, and I hope that you leave the money aside and learn what the Creator is trying to teach you. I am sorry that it has taken a lesson such as this. Sincerely
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