Who was Colleen’s “Buddy”?

Colleen Conaway was probably the only participant from Minnesota who travelled down to San Diego to attend James Ray’s Creating Absolute Wealth seminar in July 2009, so her absence on the final afternoon would not have been easily noticed by the 300 or so participants.

Her’s was the first of four pointless deaths inside of three months caused by James Arthur Ray. Her death was covered up by Death Ray and his staff, who concealed it from other participants, certain other staff members, and the San Diego Police – who listed it as suicide, instead of investigating it as a possible negligent homicide.

The participants were simply told nothing. The police, when they were contacted eight hours after staff had witnessed Colleen’s death, were no doubt mislead as to the nature of the innocent sounding “self help seminar”.

But what was Colleen’s “buddy” – the partner allocated to her in the seminar – told?

This person was either lied to about what happened to their partner, OR they assisted James Ray’s staff in covering it up. Who was this person, and why haven’t they been contacted by police?

All participants were allocated a buddy, according to this comment, posted on an article about the sweat lodge:

Disturbed says:
I was at CAW July 24-26 and was never made aware that any of the participants were missing much less dead despite the fact a “buddy” system was in place. I found out due to this recent tragedy that there was in fact a tragedy at my event too. …
October 17, 3:53 PM ***

That her absence went unnoticed by the other 300 or so participants is understandable. Those who later found out were sickened to know that they had been partying while one of their number was lying in a cold-room identified as Jane Doe, until JRI staff member Michele Goulet left the party to begin the delicate manouvres necessary to identify the body, fabricate some evidence and return in time to enjoy the party.

Clearly, Michele Goulet’s “communication skills” convinced the San Diego Police they were dealing with a suicide and not a negligent homicide. Other members of Ray’s staff were later shocked to learn they had been blatantly lied to by Ray when he told them anyone inquiring about Colleen’s whereabouts were to be told “We have found her, she’s fine, and decided not to come back to the group.”

But what was Colleen’s “buddy” told? Was he or she lied to as well? Or did this person assist Michele Goulet and the others in hiding Death Ray’s little secret?

These are the kinds of questions the San Diego Police would be investigating if they decide to re-open the investigation. The more people who let them know, the more motivated they will be to re-open the investigation. A bit of pressure from the public would remind them that they might one day find themselves the center of attention, especially if anyone in the media realises that the death lodge would probably never have happened had this been properly investigated.

Colleen did not commit suicide. She is a victim of reckless or negligent manslaughter, at the hands of James Ray and his staff, who in this case should not be granted immunity.

Anyone wanting to speak out about this matter can send an email to:

citizensreviewboard@sandiego.gov

Or write to

Hall of Justice
330 W. Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
619-531-4040
FAX: 619-237-1351

email:

publicaffairs@sdcda.org