Chinese ‘slapping therapist’ Hongchi Xiao arrested over death of elderly woman in UK workshop

Three people including a prominent Chinese “slapping therapist” have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a diabetic woman died following a workshop based around the controversial form of “self-healing”.

Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, was found dead in her room on October 20 at Cleeve House in Seend, Wiltshire.

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Friday. Wiltshire police are treating Carr-Gomm’s death as suspicious and confirmed the arrest of three people, who have been released on bail until mid-January.

“Police were called to an address in Seend in the early hours of October 20 following the sudden death of a woman,” a spokeswoman for the force said.

Watch: What is ‘slapping therapy’?

“Inquiries are continuing. A 64-year-old woman, a 53-year-old man and a 51-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.”

It is understood that one of those arrested was Hongchi Xiao, a Chinese therapist running the “paida lajin” retreat. He promotes the controversial therapy as a way of purging toxins from patients by slapping them or getting them to slap themselves.