Articles on the New Age

James Walker

Reporters Lori Stahl and Pete Slover of the Dallas Morning News have uncovered another bizarre chapter in the story of a Dallas, Texas housewife turned spiritual guide whose associates seem to follow a pattern of untimely deaths.

Two more front page stories reveal that the New Age teachings of Terri Hoffman have spread outside North Texas to include a core of devoted followers in Chicago.

Investigations also uncovered another death which fits an all- too-familiar pattern: "...a 33-year-old follower took a fatal overdose of pills in 1987, leaving her family puzzling over the whereabouts of a $125,000 divorce settlement she had received 10 days earlier,." (Dallas Morning News, Jan. 28, 1990, p. 1-A).

The suicide of Mary Levinson brings to ten the number of inner-core followers who have given generous donations or have willed their estates to Hoffman before dying by suicide or accident.

Winifred Levinson, the woman's mother, believes that Hoffman, "...played far too prominent a role in her troub¬led daughter's final year in Chicago." She added, "Mary paid a lot of money to these people," (Ibid).

From Christian Science to New Age

Part of Mary Levinson's deeply troubled life can be traced to a chronic and painful knee problem that was never treated until her early 20's.

According to the article, Levinson's Christian Science faith prevented her from seeking traditional medical treatment believing that sickness and disease are an illusion.

This may also explain why she journeyed deeper into metaphysics for answers.

Other deaths surrounding this New Age teacher include a former Southern Methodist University Professor and his wife, David and Glenda Goodman, whose duel suicide followed donations to Hoffman of checks totaling more than $110,000 and apparent plans to donate a car and home as well.

A spiritual diary left by the couple indicated that "spirit guides" apparently advised the couple to shoot themselves. The diary quoted one "spirit" as saying, "Just like with the shooting. If you do that, I can make you both a success." (Ibid, Dec. 17, 1989, p. 26-A).

$125,000 Cannot Be Traced

According to an attorney hired by Mary Levinson, she liquidated her estate and donated it to "charitable institutions" purposely in such a way that it could not be traced.

Her estate included the $125,000 which was withdrawn in cash, and $3,200 in missing jewelry charged to her mother's credit card a month before Levinson's death.

In an interview Hoffman claimed that neither she, nor her own non-profit corporation - Conscious Development of Mind, Body and Soul, Inc. - were the recipients of any Levinson's vanished money.

However, Winifred Levinson said while expressing condolences at the time of her daughters death, Hoffman said she had recently received $6,000 from Mary Levinson. (Ibid, pp. A-1, A-6).

Hoffman's associates include two other suicide victims who told their families that they suffered from painful terminal diseases. Subsequent autopsies revealed that the illnesses were not present.

Chief Felony Prosecutor Cecil Emerson of the Dallas County district attorney's office has launched an investigation into the deaths.

Authorities are using terms like "mind control" and "hypnotism" as a possible explanation for some of the deaths that seem unusual to attribute to coincidence. (Ibid, Jan. 8, 1990, p. 1-A).

In addition, a wrongful death civil lawsuit has been filed by Hoffman's own stepchildren claiming that their father was a victim of mind control and manipulation.

Two of Hoffman's four husbands are listed among the ten deaths.

Contradictory estimates of remaining followers range between hundreds to less than twelve. Those devotees contacted in Chicago remain very loyal to Hoffman believing the ten deaths can be attributed to coincidence or bad luck.

Some followers are angered by the investigation and reports which they claim are, "...symptomatic of mainstream bigotry and intolerance for new-age thought," (Ibid, p. 31-A).

(For further information see, "Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Nine Associates of New Age Teacher in Dallas," Watchman Expositor, Vol. 7, No. 2, p. 1)