News

A Kitchener real estate agent has joined a lawsuit stemming from an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony last month that left three people dead and put 18 others in hospital.

Dennis Mehravar claims he passed out in the sweat lodge, was admitted to hospital and still has pain and dizziness.

He is one of three people now suing self-help guru and author James Arthur Ray, along with others, over the Oct. 8 incident in northern Arizona.

The lawsuits allege Mr. Ray failed to adequately monitor people in the makeshift lodge, misrepresented the dangers of the ceremony and a 36-hour fast that preceded it, and didn't provide proper medical care.

A father of two who has lived in Waterloo Region for 20 years, Mr. Mehravar promoted events featuring Mr. Ray on his real estate website.

He declined to comment Friday on the event or what happened to him.

Mr. Ray had rented the Arizona resort for a five-day “Spiritual Warrior” event that culminated in the sweat lodge ceremony.

Fifty-five to 65 people were in the lodge over a two-hour period. Authorities said participants were strongly encouraged, but not forced, to remain inside the lodge for the entire time.

After an emergency call was placed, 21 people were taken to area hospitals for illnesses ranging from dehydration to kidney failure.

Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, N.Y., and James Shores, 40, of Milwaukee, died upon arrival at hospital. Liz Neuman, 49, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, suffered multiple organ damage and died more than a week later.

Police in Arizona are still investigating the incident.

Mr. Mehravar is part of a lawsuit initially launched by Sidney Spencer, an Arizona cattle ranch who claims he was hospitalized for days with kidney and liver failure and respiratory problems after the ceremony.