Hongchi Xiao, a 63-year-old alternative medicine practitioner, has reportedly been released from a UK prison after serving only 18 months of a decade-long sentence. Xiao, a California resident, was convicted in 2024 for the gross negligence manslaughter of 71-year-old diabetic Danielle Carr-Gomm, who passed away in 2016 during one of his “Paida Lajin” workshops in Wiltshire.
These workshops encouraged participants to strike themselves repeatedly to expel supposed toxins. During the sessions in Wiltshire, Carr-Gomm stopped using her insulin, leading to her death. While Xiao attempted to appeal his conviction, the Court of Appeal rejected his request on Friday. Lord Justice Dingemans noted that while the trial judge had misdirected the jury regarding a liability waiver signed by participants, the error did not invalidate the conviction, as the document held no legal weight in a criminal context.
Reports indicate that Xiao was returned to the United States via the Facilitated Return Scheme for foreign offenders. A government representative stated that Xiao is permanently banned from re-entering the UK. Should he return, he would be required to serve the remainder of his prison term. Xiao previously faced legal action in Australia following the death of a young boy who also ceased insulin treatment after attending one of his programs.
