Criticism of Sylvia Browne

Sylvia Browne is a bestselling American author on the subject of spirituality who describes herself as a psychic and medium. She has been involved in numerous controversies regarding her claims, abilities and predictions. Critics say that she is a cold reader, such as James Randi with whom she has had a long running feud. Randi says that Browne's readings are indistinguishable from those achieved by mentalists using cold and hot reading techniques. Recent press coverage has asserted that she is overall inaccurate, claimed to have given insight into how she treats her fans, and reported her feelings about critics like Randi. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2198928,00.html Is she for real?] Saturday October 27, 2007, The Guardian by Jon Ronson]

Introduction to predictions

Although Browne has made many public predictions, according to James Randi her accuracy rate has been no better than educated guessing. [cite news | url=http://www.randi.org/jr/012805opinions.html| title=Sylvia Browne's Clock-Update |publisher=James Randi Educational Foundation |date=2005-01-28 | first=James | last=Randi | retrieved= 25 October 2006] Among her predictions, that Bill Clinton was falsely accused in the Lewinsky scandal (proved incorrect), that George H. W. Bush would defeat Bill Clinton in the 1992 U.S. presidential election (Bush lost), that Bill Bradley would win the 2000 U.S. presidential election with the Reform Party coming in second,cite news | url=http://www.sylvia.org/home/2000pred.cfm | title=Predictions for the year 2000 | publisher=Sylvia.org |date=2000 | first=Sylvia | last=Browne | accessdate = 2006-08-18] the "hiding in caves" of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein (found in a spider hole in the ground), the death of bin Laden (later reported by the Central Intelligence Agency as incorrect), a verdict of guilty in the 2005 child molestation trial of Michael Jackson [Setoodeh, Ramin (January 14, 2005) [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6826824/site/newsweek/ Psychic Sylvia Browne's Predictions for 2005] "msnbc.com"] (Jackson was acquitted), and the cure and prevention of breast cancer by the end of 1999. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/19990421191948/sylvia.org/1999.htm Psychic Sylvia Browne - 1999 Predictions - 408.379.7070 ] ] Browne appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" eight days before the September 11, 2001 attacks and failed to predict the event,cite news | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0109/03/lkl.00.html | title=Are Psychics Real? | publisher=CNN/"Larry King Live" |date=2001-09-03 | first=Larry | last=King | accessdate = 2006-08-18] but after the fact claimed she had disturbing dreams involving a lot of fire in the week preceding the attack. She also stated on "The Montel Williams Show"'s New Years Predictions that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston would have a baby that year (they never had a child, and divorced in 2005).

Of her predictions that might be considered accurate, many are predictions that are easy to make. Examples from the list of predictions for the 21st century cited above: "Elizabeth Taylor ends up back at the Betty Ford Center"; "Neither Warren Beatty nor Donald Trump has any success in politics"; "Air travel reaches an all-time high, but because of overbookings and poor service, the airlines will need to revamp their scheduling practices".

ago Mine controversy

An incident involving Browne on January 3, 2006, on the U.S. radio program "Coast to Coast AM" with George Noory, is seen by Browne's critics as evidence of her deception and fraud. [Noory, George et al (2006). [http://www.coasttocoastam.com"Coast to Coast AM."] "Radio Broadcast". Broadcast 3 January 2006.] The incident, which was broadcast live, involved Browne making her predictions for 2006. Browne and Noory were discussing the nature of her psychic premonitions, when Noory brought up the topic of the then unfolding 2006 Sago Mine disaster.

At the time it was believed, due to erroneous news reports, that 12 of the 13 trapped miners had been found alive. When Noory asked Browne if she had had any psychic premonitions regarding the men, she stated that she had known they would be found alive. Later in the program it was revealed that the earlier news reports has been incorrect, and only 1 of the men was now believed to have survived. At this point Browne was alleged to have contradicted her earlier statement, stating that "I don't really think there's anybody alive".Fact|date=October 2008

Browne later pointed out that she had never specifically stated that the miners would be found "alive", only that they would be found, and that she was referring to the bodies of the dead miners being found. In the October 3, 2007 episode of "Coast to Coast", Noory identified this "incident" as the reason he has not invited Browne back to the show since. ["Coast to Coast AM", October 3, 2007.]

James Randi

James Randi, a retired stage magician turned investigator of paranormal claims, has been a frequent critic of Browne. On September 3, 2001, Browne stated on Larry King Live that she would accept the James Randi Educational Foundation's $1,000,000 challenge to demonstrate supernatural abilities in a controlled scientific test. [cite news | url=http://www.randi.org/sylvia/index.html| title=Sylvia Browne's Clock-Update |publisher=James Randi Educational Foundation | first=James | last=Randi | retrieved= 25 October 2006] However, as of 2008, Browne has said that she has found it increasingly difficult to contact the Foundation or respond to Randi's enquiries.

There are several reasons Browne cites for being unable to complete the JREF challenge:
* She was unable to contact Randi.cite web | url = http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-11/111006big.html#i6 |date=2006-11-10 | last = Randi | first = James | accessdate = 2007-01-03 | title = In conclusion. | work = James Randi's Swift]
* She does not need or want the money.cite web | url = http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/browne.html | accessdate = 2007-01-03 | title = Sylvia Browne: Psychic Guru or Quack?]
* Neither Randi nor the JREF has $1,000,000.cite web | url = http://www.randi.org/jr/052303.html |date=2003-05-23 | last = Randi | first = James | accessdate = 2007-01-03 | title = Sylvia Emerges! | work = James Randi's Swift]
* Randi would not put the money in escrow.

In support of her final claim, Browne often quotes Randi as saying that he'll never have to pay the money because "I always have an out." Randi, in turn, claims that this quote is taken out of context and his actual words were "I always have an out—I'm right," referring to his belief that no one can win the challenge because no one possesses any kind of paranormal ability.

Some have questioned the logical inconsistency of her statements that she is not interested in the money, yet at the same time requires proof of its existence. In addition, Randi demonstrates that the money is held by an independent investment firm, Goldman Sachs, and that proof of its existencecite news | url=http://www.skepticreport.com/images/investmentaccount.gif| title=Copy of the Randi's Goldman Sachs account balance | publisher=Skeptic Report |date=2005 | first= | last= | retrieved= 6 August 2006] can be obtained by requesting a copy of the most recent account statement from the JREF, by telephone, fax, letter, or e-mail. Though a few persons have requested and received copies of the documentation, no request has ever come from Browne.

Browne retorts that the JREF refuses to put the money into escrow, a decision that she says implies that the money does not exist. Randi originally defended the decision, highlighting the allegation that the challenge rules clearly state the money will not be placed in escrow. However, as of November 2003, Randi decided to make an exception for Browne, and declared that the money will be placed in escrow, proposing either Larry Kingcite news | url=http://www.randi.org/jr/121903lins.html| title=Browne's Back! | publisher=James Randi Educational Foundation |date=2003-12-19 | first=James | last=Randi | retrieved= 25 October 2006] or Montel Williams, both supporters of Browne, as suitable escrow agents. Though formal letters were mailed to both King and Williams notifying them of their nomination as possible escrow agents, neither person ever answered. Browne never accepted nor acknowledged Randi's exception concerning the escrow matter.

After making this announcement, Randi claimed on his website, "We have now met each and every objection made by Sylvia Browne," except that she does not like me."cite news | url=http://www.randi.org/jr/110703.html | title=Sylvia's Problem Solved! | publisher=James Randi Educational Foundation |date=2003-11-07 | first=James | last=Randi | retrieved= 6 August 2005]

Browne's responses to Randi

Browne's website posted a message sometime after August 1, 2005, apparently directed at Randi, claiming that Browne never received confirmation of the existence of the million dollars (which Randi said he sent by certified mail), and suggesting that perhaps Randi sent the package to her previous business address. However, Randi's May 30, 2003, weekly newsletter indicates the documents were mailed over two years before the date Browne said she relocated.cite news | url=http://www.randi.org/jr/053003.html | title=Sylvia Wriggles Away...| publisher=James Randi Educational Foundation |date=2003-05-30 | first=James | last=Randi | retrieved= 6 August 2005] Randi said he has a certified mail receipt from the U.S. Postal Service (Certified Mail item #7003 0500 0002 3034 8133) to confirm the package was refused by Browne at 12:08 p.m. on May 22, 2003.

"The Montel Williams Show" controversies

Browne has been a weekly guest on "The Montel Williams Show" for many years. In the episodes she appears in, known as "Sylvia Wednesdays," she takes questions from audience members asking for advice about health, love, and finance, as well as information she may have about deceased or missing loved ones. Recently her predictions have come under tremendous scrutiny after the high profile missing person's case of Shawn Hornbeck made headlines and revealed that Browne had given a reading to Hornbeck's mother and step-father four years prior on the show where she told them their son was dead, knew where he was buried and the person who had abducted him had murdered him, which turned out to be all wrong. Since then other readings by Browne have been claimed to be incorrect.

Missing persons

Holly Krewson

In April 1995, 23-year-old Holly Krewson was reported missing by her family. In 2002, Gwendolyn Krewson, Holly's mother, appeared on an episode of "The Montel Williams Show" featuring Sylvia Browne for information that might lead to the whereabouts of her daughter. Sylvia Browne told Krewson her daughter was living in Hollywood, California and working as an exotic dancer in a nightclub. Following the reading, Holly's family went to Hollywood and canvassed a number of nightclubs but yielded no results. A body found in 1996 by the San Diego police went unidentified for 10 years, but a break in the case came in February 2006 when dental records were used to positively identify the body to that of Holly Krewson. [Hughes, Joe (March 24, 2007) [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060324-9999-2m24holly.html Remains found in 1996 finally identified] , "signonsandiego.com"] [Turegano, Preston (November 27, 2002) [http://www.signonsandiego.com/tvradio/021127_briefs.html Psychic Wrong?] , "signonsandiego.com"]

Ryan Katcher

Ryan Katcher was a nineteen-year-old who disappeared during the night in November of 2000 in Illinois. A police search yielded no results, so his family went on the Montel Williams Show to receive assistance from Browne. Browne predicted that Katcher might be in an iron mine shaft a few miles away from the Katcher home. Unfortunately, these predictions turned out to be incorrect. Katcher was found in his truck in a pond in Illinois and had died of drowning rather than murder as Browne claimed. [ [http://www.commercial-news.com/homepage/local_story_206143447.html?keyword=leadpicturestory The Commercial-News, Danville, IL - KATCHER'S BODY FOUND AT KICKAPOO ] ]

Opal Jo Jennings

Six-year-old Opal Jo Jennings was abducted in March 1999 from her grandparents' front yard in Tarrant County, Texas, USA. Jennings' grandmother, Audrey Sanderford, appeared on the "Montel" show to ask Browne for information in the episode first broadcast on April 29, 1999. Browne told Sanderford her granddaughter was not dead but that she had been forced into prostitution and taken to Japan, in a town called either "Kukouro" or "Kukoura." No such town exists. In August of that same year, convicted child molester Richard Lee Franks was arrested and charged with Jennings' abduction and murder. He was convicted of the crimes in September 2000 and sentenced to life in prison.

In December 2003 the skeletal remains of a small child were found 13 miles away from Jennings' home. DNA determined it was the remains of Opal Jo Jennings and an autopsy showed she had been killed due to trauma to the head within hours after being abducted.

Lynda McClelland

On July 27, 2000, 44-year-old Lynda McClelland was reported missing from her home in Forrest Hills, Pennsylvania, but subsequent searches turned up nothing. On March 13, 2002 McClelland's two daughters and son-in-law appeared on "The Montel Williams Show" seeking information regarding McClelland.

Browne told McClelland's daughters, Marci and Amanda, that their mother was alive and was abducted by a man with the initials "MJ" and taken to Orlando, Florida. McClelland's body was found buried less than two miles from her home in Pennsylvania. The man charged [Fuoco, Michael (March 18, 2003) [http://www.post-gazette.com/neigh_east/20030318arrest0318p1.asp N. Braddock man held in mother-in-law's killing] , "post-gazette.com"] and convicted [WTAE-TV (December 12, 2003) [http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/2041082/detail.html Man Kills Mom-In-Law Over Sex, Found Guilty] , "thepittsburghchannel.com"] for the murder was David Repasky, McClelland's son-in-law. Not only was Lynda McClelland already dead, but Repasky, the actual murderer, was in the same room with Browne when Browne stated that Lynda was still alive and had been abducted. The "psychic" failed to detect the presence of the murderer a few yards away.

hawn Hornbeck

On October 6, 2002, 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck was reported missing from his Missouri home. On February 6, 2003, Browne appeared on "The Montel Williams Show" with the boy's parents during which Browne told Pam and Craig Akers their son "is no longer with us" but she had the impression his body was in a wooded area about 20 miles southwest of Richwoods. She said it would be near two large, jagged boulders that seem out of place in that area. She also described the man as being very tall, having long black dreadlocks, and being not "Black, more like Hispanic" as well as describing his vehicle as an older model blue sedan with fins. Her claims led to a refocusing of search efforts of numerous people calling in with tips regarding possible spottings of the rock formations Browne had mentioned. [cite news |first=Leroy |last=Sigman |title=Psychic's clues lead to new searches, but no luck |url=http://www.mydjconnection.com/articles/2003/02/27/community/news2.txt |publisher=Daily Journal Online |date=2003-02-27 |accessdate=2007-01-20 ] [cite news |title=Transcript of converstation between Sylvia Browne and Craig & Pam Akers on the Montel Williams Show |url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2007/01/psychic-once-pronounced-hornbeck-dead.html |publisher=CNN |date=2007-01-20 |accessdate=2007-01-20 ]

In January 2006 Anderson Cooper reported on Browne's 2003 claims and interviewed the Hornbeck parents, Randi, and Browne critic Robert Lancaster (Browne declined to be interviewed). [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/19/acd.01.html Psychic Powers Debunked in Shawn Hornbeck Case] CNN'S Anderson Cooper January 19, 2007 (CNN Transcript)] The Hornbeck parents reported that Browne offered to "tell them more" if they booked a private meeting at $700 for 20 minutes. Browne denied having ever asked such a thing.

Hornbeck was found alive four years later, having been abducted by a white man with short brown hair who drove a small white Toyota pickup. Browne told the the "New York Daily News", "I'm terribly sorry that this happened, but I think my body of work stands by itself. I've broken case after case." [cite news |title=She told them boy was dead |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/489771p-412369c.html |publisher="New York Daily News" |date=2007-01-18 |accessdate=2007-01-20 ] She was scheduled to be a guest on "Larry King Live" show to further address the issue. However, she was replaced at the last minute by fellow psychic Rosemary Altea and Randi.Fact|date=February 2007 King, a long-time supporter and promoter of Browne's work, was somewhat critical of the absent Browne, but he also remarked that Browne had described Devlin "pretty well". Randi disputed this, comparing her description (that mentioned dreadlocks on a Hispanic man) with an arrest photograph of Devlin (a white man, average height, with no dreadlocks).

On January 30, 2007 Browne's business manager for 35 years, Linda Rossi, appeared with Randi on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360". In a 15-minute interview, Randi proposed that Browne undergo a test consisting of doing "...readings for ten people, ten people that would be chosen because they believe Sylvia Browne and they believe she has powers, and they believe in psychic powers of that sort. ... We would then shuffle those ten readings and give them all to the people who had the readings done for them and ask them to sort them out, which one is your reading? It should be pretty evident that you could take the reading that was made for you, and you could single that out." [cite news | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/30/acd.01.html | title=Official transcript: Psychic Psychic Reality Check |publisher=Anderson Cooper |date=2007-01-30 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-01-31 ] Rossi replied, "Absolutely not" with Randi noting Browne previously agreed to undergo a test.

In June 2008, Ofcom ruled that ITV2 "breached standards with a repeat of the Montel Williams Show in which a 'desperate' couple were told by a psychic their missing son was dead - even though he turned up alive last year." [cite news | url=http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmU4PA7E5v8xyyCPFw-cXo7cFWtQ | title=ITV wrong over psychic claim repeat | work=The Press Association | date=June 23, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate=2008-07-31] The ruling concerned "breaching rule 2.1 of the Broadcasting Code, which relates to protecting viewers against offensive material."

Wrong cause of death

During one "Montel" appearance that has since been widely distributed on Internet video sites, a woman in the audience asked Browne about her boyfriend, whom she had lost with the body never found. Browne then ventured that the reason they hadn't found his body was because he was in water, "like the girl that's missing in Aruba". The grieving woman then informed Browne that her boyfriend had been a New York City firefighter that had been caught in one of the collapsing buildings during the September 11th terrorist attacks, openly refuting Browne's prediction. Browne, in an effort to salvage her botched "prediction," then tells the woman that he possibly drowned "if they were trying to put the fire out."

During yet another feature on "Montel" a husband and wife asked Browne how their seventeen-year-old daughter had died. Browne immediately claimed "she was shot". According to the couple, their daughter had, in fact, simply collapsed while in her bedroom, dying of unknown causes. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jF-d2pE9Ls Sylvia Browne - Wrong a third time!!] posted on YouTube December 19, 2006] Browne and Montel try to salvage the prediction several times. First, Montel asks if their daughter played sports, to which Sylvia changes the "prediction" from being shot to being hit in the chest due to a sports-related injury. Secondly, the father asks if it could have been toxic shock syndrome, to which Sylvia responds, "Yes." Finally, Montel asks Sylvia, "Now could she have had a heart attack, a massive heart attack?", to which Sylvia responds, "Oh, she could have, yeah. Absolutely."

Failed private session predictions

Janet McDonald, an author of books for young adults, paid Browne $700 for a reading via phone. She later wrote an article describing her disappointment in the results. One that could not be falsified at the time concerned McDonald's longevity - "Oh, God, yes, a really long life" according to the psychic. [http://dir.salon.com/story/mwt/feature/2003/01/08/psychic/index.html Crystal bawl.] January 8, 2003 Salon.com article by Janet McDonald.] McDonald died just over four years later, on April 11, 2007 of cancer, [http://www.projectgirl.com/ Official website] with notice of her death.] at the age of 53. [Whelan, Debra Lau. [http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6434296.html Young Adult Author Janet McDonald Dies at 53] . "School Library Journal". April 16, 2007. Accessed January 4, 2008.]

References