Florida Doctor Faces Manslaughter Charges After Patient Dies During Psychedelic Ceremony

Dr. Samuel Lee, a 44-year-old psychiatrist, is facing manslaughter charges in the death of Tina Sodhi, who died while participating in what Lee calls a "heart protocol" ceremony at his holistic wellness retreat space in Miami Beach on February 10, 2025. Police and paramedics found Sodhi unresponsive and lifeless in a sauna after responding to an emergency call.

Lee described the incident as part of a sacred sacrament and not under his medical license when speaking with officers at the scene. He claimed that he was administering MDMA and ketamine, along with other substances, as part of what he termed a "treatment" for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The second participant in the event confirmed that they had signed a liability waiver before taking part in the ceremony.

Medical examiners determined Sodhi's cause of death to be hyponatremic dehydration due to confinement in a sauna, combined with the use of MDMA and ketamine. The heat from the sauna and a liquid parasite cleanse prescribed by Lee are believed to have amplified the effects of these illegal substances on her body.

Lee’s website promotes his services under the guise of an "Eternal Life Tribe," offering monthly subscriptions for $55 alongside retreats that include the controversial heart protocol ceremony. Despite Sodhi's death, Lee continues to advertise similar treatments online and through various groups he claims to have founded, such as Transcendence Mental Health and Limitless Living MD.

In addition to facing charges in Florida, Lee’s medical license has been suspended in Texas due to concerns over his continued promotion of these unapproved therapies. The Texas licensing board expressed worry that multiple businesses are still endorsing the heart protocol ceremony despite the tragic outcome for Sodhi.

Lee has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and was released on a $50,000 bond after his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court again soon as prosecutors seek to keep him in custody until trial proceedings begin.

The case highlights ongoing debates about the regulation of alternative mental health treatments and the potential risks associated with unregulated use of powerful psychoactive substances like MDMA and ketamine outside clinical settings.