According to a first-person account published in Newsweek in October 2026 by Reannon Allison, her sister Marisa Davis, age 33, died on February 3, 2012, after undergoing ibogaine treatment at a private residence in the Heber City area of Utah. Reannon reported that Marisa experienced a medical emergency during treatment and was transported to a hospital, where doctors told the family she had experienced cardiac arrest and an aneurysm. The family was never provided a clear explanation of the cause of death, and according to Reannon, no law enforcement or medical examiner investigation occurred. The identities of the individuals who administered the ibogaine and the exact treatment location remain unknown to the family.
Marisa Davis traveled from Georgia to Utah in early 2012 seeking ibogaine treatment for substance use disorder. According to her sister Reannon Allison, the treatment was administered at a private residence by a woman and her husband, described as a nurse and paramedic, but their identities were not known to the family.
Reannon stated that Marisa experienced a seizure during treatment and was hospitalized, likely at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, though this has not been independently verified. Hospital doctors reportedly informed the family that Marisa had experienced cardiac arrest and an aneurysm. Marisa had previously survived a serious car accident and had been told she had a potentially weakened blood vessel in her brain. According to Reannon, doctors did not establish any connection between this prior injury and her death, nor did they explain whether ibogaine may have contributed.
The family reported that they were unable to identify the treatment providers or locate the treatment address. When they later attempted to retrieve information from Marisa's laptop, relevant records and contact details could no longer be found. Without this information, the family could not pursue an investigation or legal action. According to Reannon, the family was never contacted by law enforcement or the medical examiner's office regarding any investigation.
No official medical, forensic, law enforcement, or court records have been obtained to independently verify the circumstances of the death or whether any investigation occurred.
Investigation & Causality
Substance Reported
Ibogaine
Ibogaine Causality
Not established
Investigation Outcome
According to family, no known investigation occurred
Case Details
Location
Heber City area, Utah, United States
Cause of Death (as first reported)
Cardiac arrest and aneurysm, according to hospital doctors as reported by family
Sources
Other sourceNov 1, 2026
Direct correspondence with Ibogaine Club“Reannon Allison provided additional firsthand testimony about the family's experience following Marisa's death, including information about the hospital, medical explanations received, the lack of a known investigation, and difficulties identifying the treatment providers. November 2026.”