A Chinese alternative medicine practitioner, Hongchi Xiao, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following the tragic death of a diabetic grandmother at his controversial slap therapy workshop in the United Kingdom.
Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, from Lewes, East Sussex, passed away in October 2016 during Xiao’s Paida Lajin therapy event, held at Cleeve House in Wiltshire. The therapy, which involves slapping oneself or being slapped to purportedly expel “poisonous waste” from the body, has faced criticism for its lack of scientific basis.
The court heard that Mrs Carr-Gomm, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999, sought alternative treatments for her condition due to her fear of needles and preference for vegetarianism. After first attending Xiao’s workshop in Bulgaria in July 2016, she ceased her insulin medication and became severely unwell before recovering. Encouraged by her experience, she joined another workshop in October that year, where she tragically lost her life.
Witnesses at the Wiltshire workshop recounted how Xiao applauded Mrs Carr-Gomm’s decision to stop taking her insulin, reportedly saying “well done”. By the third day of the event, she had grown increasingly ill, vomiting, and becoming weak and delirious. Witnesses described her as “howling in pain” and “frothing at the mouth” before her condition worsened fatally on the fourth day.
Despite clear signs of her deteriorating health, Xiao failed to seek medical intervention. Prosecutors revealed that the healer, based in California, has no medical qualifications and yet promoted Paida Lajin as a cure for diabetes, dismissing the need for life-saving insulin.
At Winchester Crown Court, Xiao was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence in July 2024. On Friday, Mr Justice Bright sentenced him to 10 years in prison with an additional five years on extended licence, citing Xiao’s lack of remorse and ongoing promotion of the controversial therapy.
Mrs Carr-Gomm’s family, including her son Matthew, expressed deep shock over her untimely death. Describing her as a vibrant and adventurous individual, he said she was dedicated to holistic health and alternative therapies. “Mum was in a great place in life, with a loving partner and plans for travel. Her death has left a huge void in our lives,” he stated.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker of Wiltshire Police, who led the complex investigation, condemned Xiao’s actions, emphasising that he knowingly encouraged participants to stop their prescribed medications. Walker added that Xiao’s lack of accountability had prolonged the family’s suffering.
This case highlights the risks associated with unregulated alternative therapies, a growing concern worldwide. While the verdict brings some closure to Mrs Carr-Gomm’s family, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of abandoning conventional medical treatments.
