An alternative healer promoting 'slapping therapy' has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the death of a 71-year-old diabetic woman who stopped taking insulin during one of his workshops. Hongchi Xiao, 61, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence for failing to seek medical help for the woman as she experienced severe symptoms.
Xiao, based in Cloudbreak, California, advocated paida lajin therapy, which involves patients slapping themselves to release 'poisonous waste' from the body. Despite its roots in Chinese medicine, critics argue that the technique lacks scientific evidence and can lead to harmful outcomes such as bruises and bleeding.
The victim, Danielle Carr-Gomm, was one of two patients who died after following Xiao's methods. Xiao had previously been convicted in Australia for the death of a 6-year-old boy whose parents withdrew his insulin medication after attending one of his workshops.
During the sentencing at Winchester Crown Court, Justice Robert Bright emphasized Xiao's negligence in addressing Carr-Gomm's medical needs. Despite being aware that she had stopped taking insulin, Xiao failed to intervene effectively, leading to tragic consequences.
Carr-Gomm, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999, had sought alternative treatments to avoid injections. She had attended a previous workshop by Xiao in Bulgaria, where she also fell seriously ill after discontinuing her medication.
Despite her deteriorating health during the workshop in England, Carr-Gomm expressed admiration for Xiao, referring to him as a 'messenger sent by God' who aimed to revolutionize healthcare. Xiao had encouraged her decision to stop taking insulin, contributing to the fatal outcome.
As Carr-Gomm's condition worsened, participants misinterpreted her symptoms as a healing crisis, delaying the necessary medical intervention. By the fourth day of the workshop, Carr-Gomm was in excruciating pain and unable to respond, ultimately leading to her tragic death.
The case highlights the dangers of unproven alternative therapies and the importance of seeking medical advice from qualified professionals. Justice has been served in holding Xiao accountable for his role in the preventable death of a vulnerable patient.
