Man charged after woman dies during ‘slapping therapy’ workshop
A 60-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of a woman at a controversial ‘alternative healing’ workshop.
Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, died at Cleeve House, a country hotel in Wiltshire which was hosting the workshop in October 2016.
It’s understood the workshop involved a fringe ‘therapy’ in which patients are slapped or slap themselves repeatedly for supposed health benefits.
Ms Carr-Gomm, from Lewes, East Sussex, took part in the workshop in the hope of treating her diabetes, her family say.
Hongchi Xiao, 60, from California, was extradited from Australia and charged in Swindon, according to Wiltshire Police.
He reportedly led the workshop under the name Master Xiao, calling it ‘Paida & Lajin’ after the Chinese words for slapping and stretching.
He was due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Mrs Carr-Gomm, who was born in France and moved to the UK aged 21, took an interest in alternative medicine as she struggled to inject insulin due to a fear of needles.
Speaking after her death, her son Matthew Carr-Gomm, who lives in New Zealand, said: ‘She was always keen to try and find alternative methods of treating and dealing with her diabetes and was very interested in alternative and holistic medicine and therapies.
‘I know she was desperate to try and cure herself of this disease. She always maintained a healthy lifestyle and was adamant that nothing would stop her from living a full life.
‘In recent years, mum was in a great place with a partner, a lovely home, and was travelling the world. She had a lot of life left in her.’
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