A British mother of three has tragically died at a remote retreat in the Amazon rainforest after allegedly consuming a psychedelic tea laced with the drug ayahuasca.
Maureen Rainford, 54, from Romford, paid £800 for a ten-day stay at the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat in Bolivia.
The retreat promotes itself as a “sacred space” for “working with plant medicines,” including ayahuasca, which is known for its hallucinogenic properties. It describes itself as an ideal environment for healing and expanding consciousness.
Ayahuasca, a powerful plant-based psychedelic, is made by brewing leaves and stalks from local plants and has long been used in spiritual ceremonies by indigenous tribes in South America. It is classified as a Class A illegal drug in the UK.
According to Maureen’s daughter, Rochel, 32, the retreat staff informed her that her mother suffered a “medical emergency” shortly after arriving. Witnesses reported that Maureen began feeling ill just ten minutes after drinking the ayahuasca tea. Her heart rate and breathing reportedly dropped sharply, and she collapsed and died approximately an hour later before a doctor arrived.
A post-mortem later revealed a heart attack as the cause of death, which staff at the retreat claimed was “unrelated” to the ayahuasca she had ingested.
Rochel expressed concerns about the lack of medical staff at the retreat, stating, “There should be a trained medic on standby when hallucinogenic drugs are being handed out in a remote area.” She also recounted how retreat staff initially insisted that her mother be cremated in Bolivia due to concerns over decomposition, but she resisted, fearing a cover-up. With help from the British Consulate, Maureen’s body was eventually returned to her family, and a funeral was held last week.
Rochel has now vowed to raise awareness about such retreats, warning others about their risks. “I want to raise awareness about these places for people tempted by glossy brochures selling a dream,” she said.
A spokesperson for the retreat claimed that Maureen’s death was due to a “medical emergency” unrelated to the ayahuasca. “Our heart goes out to her family,” the spokesperson added.
In recent years, the Amazon has seen a surge in Western tourists visiting ayahuasca retreats and seeking holistic therapies. Prince Harry, in his memoir Spare, revealed that he had participated in an ayahuasca ceremony to address PTSD caused by his mother’s death but cautioned against using the drug recreationally.
Following Maureen’s death, her family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and emotional costs. The fundraiser described her as a vibrant, adventurous woman who had eagerly anticipated her retreat in Bolivia.
The campaign aims to alleviate financial burdens for her family and honor Maureen’s memory. Supporters remember her as a “wonderful person” and keep her children and grandchildren in their thoughts during this difficult time.
