Sweat Lodge | sweat lodge deaths, sweat lodge ceremony



There has been a major development this evening in a story we’ve been investigating for several months.

Self-described spiritual guru James Arthur Ray, pictured above, whose philosophies were once featured on “Oprah” and whose workshops cost clients thousands, has just been charged with three counts of manslaughter.

The charges follow three deaths tied to a sweat lodge ceremony at his spiritual retreat in October. Ray was arrested at the office of his attorney, Luis Li. In a statement, Li called the charges "unjust," the deaths an accident, and said Ray has contributed with auhorities throughout the investigation.

Here is a link to the ABCNews.com story. Here is a link to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office release.

Embedded below is one of two investigations, a full half-hour broadcast reported by Dan Harris that aired in December, entitled “Sweat Lodge Secrets.”