Three Students Die After Hypnosis Sessions Led by School Principal

High school principal practiced hypnosis at school

Three students died

Case revived by docuseries

According to People en Español, in the spring of 2011, three students from a small Florida city died weeks after participating in hypnosis sessions led by the then-principal of North Port High School, Dr. George Kenney.

The case regained attention following the 2023 docuseries True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes, which examines what happened in the North Port High School hypnosis deaths.

Kenney hypnotized more than 70 people, including numerous students, while serving as principal.

He was not a licensed hypnotherapist.

Some students praised his methods and claimed their academic and athletic performance improved.

Others, however, reported adverse effects.

The Student Deaths That Shook the Community

Marcus Freeman died on March 15, 2011, in a car accident.

According to later statements, after a dentist appointment, the teenager gave a “strange look” before veering off the road and crashing into a tree.

His girlfriend survived with serious injuries.

Weeks later, on April 8, 2011, 16-year-old Wesley McKinley died by suicide.

He had attended three known sessions with Dr. George Kenney.

He was hypnotized the day before his death.

His mother stated in the docuseries that on one occasion he left a session without responding to his name and believing he had eleven fingers.

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She described his behavior as “almost zombie-like.”

On May 4, 2011, Brittany Palumbo was found dead in her bedroom.

She had participated in a session in which, according to her mother, she did not remember having leaned forward for several minutes.

After retaking the SAT and not achieving a higher score, she appeared distressed.

Her mother questioned whether hypnosis may have given her “a tool” that influenced her decision.

Hypnosis Practice at the School

North Port High School Hypnosis Deaths Caused by Principal – PHOTO : SHUTTERSTOCK

Dr. George Kenney developed an interest in hypnosis as a teenager.

In 2009, he completed a five-day course with the National Guild of Hypnosis.

He did not obtain a hypnotherapy license.

He began offering group sessions and later private sessions to address test anxiety, concentration, and athletic performance.

He recorded and documented sessions with signed parental consent forms.

In legal documents cited by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, George Kenney admitted he did not ask about medical or mental health histories.

Some students said they continued experiencing negative effects.

During a JROTC trip in 2009, at least four students were hypnotized.

One reported waking up with lipstick on his face and no memory of what had occurred.

Investigations and Legal Consequences

Following Palumbo’s death, Dr. George Kenney was placed on paid administrative leave.

He was later allowed to hand out diplomas at the 2011 graduation ceremony after student protests.

The Sarasota County School Board hired the Steele Investigations Agency.

Nurse Denise Brislin accused him of interfering with first aid for an injured student.

Witnesses stated he attempted to hypnotize the student to relieve pain before paramedics arrived.

The Florida Department of Health concluded that Kenney violated state law by practicing therapeutic hypnosis without being a licensed healthcare professional.

He pleaded not guilty to practicing therapeutic hypnosis without a license.

He resigned in June 2012 to avoid more serious charges.

He was sentenced to two consecutive six-month probation terms and 50 hours of community service.

After completing his sentence, he moved out of Florida.

More than a decade later, the North Port High School hypnosis deaths continue to raise questions.