Mum-of-three Maureen Rainford, from Romford, east London, reportedly collapsed after drinking an Ayahuasca tea during a spiritual retreat in the Bolivian jungle
A British mum has tragically died after drinking a tea laced with a psychedelic drug during a retreat in Bolivia.
Maureen Rainford, 54, collapsed after drinking Ayahuasca in a tea, her daughter was told. The substance, also known as yage, is a blend of two plants and is illegal in the UK, the US and many other countries.
It is typically handed out at ceremonies by a shaman – and causes reactions such as visions, energy and euphoria. The mum-of-three, from Romford, east London, had booked the £800 retreat at the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat in the Bolivian Amazon last month, her family said.
Maureen’s daughter Rochel, 32, said she was told by a resort official that her mum had suffered a “medical emergency” during the retreat. She was also told that then minutes after drinking the tea, she woman complained about feeling unwell, with her heart and breathing rate plummeting.
Sadly, despite CPR efforts, Maureen died one hour later – before a doctor arrived. Rochel told The Sun on Sunday: “There should be a trained medic on standby when hallucinogenic drugs are being handed out in a remote area. Eric [a worker at the retreat] tried to insist that she must be cremated in Bolivia as her body would decompose, but I did not want any cover-up.”
Rochel told the newspaper that her mum’s body was returned after she contacted the British consulate in Bolivia. She revealed that a post-mortem confirmed that her mum suffered a fatal heart attack. She added that Maureen’s funeral was held last week.
The heartbroken daughter said: “I want to raise awareness about these places for people tempted by glossy brochures selling a dream.” A spokesman for the retreat claimed that the woman’s passing was “due to a medical emergency that was not related to Ayahuasca.” They added: “Our heart goes out to her family.”
The retreat’s website offers stays called “10-Day Plant Medicine Diet” with prices starting from $995 (£800). It says guests are “provided fresh organic food from the amazon upon arrival.” From the second day, guests take part in an offering to Pachamama – Mother Earth – before initiating the process of “La Dieta” (diet).
Then, for the next eight to 10 days, participants “will engage in a shamanic diet to detox the body and purify the mind,” the website adds. The diet avoids any strong flavours or spices – and includes local fish, vegetables, fruits, grains and eggs. The retreat adds: “The menu can be a struggle for some and it requires sacrifice. Guests will not go hungry but they may be forced to re-evaluate their relationship to food and nutrition.”
After Maureen’s death, her loved ones created a fundraiser to help her family. It reads: “Maureen… Our dear colleague and for some of us….. a close friend, died suddenly while on a ‘wellness retreat’ in South America. Maureen’s love of travel and her curiosity took her to the Bolivian Amazon to detox from the noise of London and work for 10 days.
“It was a trip she was eagerly looking forward to, sharing her excitement with everyone with her usual vibrancy and zest for life and travel…a time for reflection and personal development. We waited for her return to share her stories, with fascination and expectation; that the long distances she had travelled to experience this retreat would be reflected in a re-invigorated Maureen…
“We have organised this GoFundMe to collect funds for her immediate family to ease any financial burden and in Maureen’s memory. This small gesture also allows us to remember Maureen for the wonderful person she was and keep her children and grandchildren in our thoughts during this difficult time.”
