Benjamin Braithwaite, 35, was found dead on Sept. 13 at a Radical Faeries encampment in Piano Milo, Sicily. Authorities recovered drugs at the scene and reported injuries to the neck; a post-mortem in Augusta is underway. A former member alleged routine drug use, esoteric rituals and risky sexual practices at some Faeries gatherings, but those claims are unproven and under investigation. Local residents say the group had previously kept to itself; police continue to investigate all possible causes.
Mystery At Sicilian Encampment: British Man Found Dead After Radical Faeries Gathering
Benjamin Braithwaite, from Leeds, died in September - The Telegraph
A 35-year-old British man, Benjamin Braithwaite, was found dead on Sept. 13 at a remote Radical Faeries encampment in Piano Milo, Sicily. Authorities recovered his naked body beside a length of rope near a bell tent at an abandoned farmhouse that serves as the centre of the site.
Mr Braithwaite's body was reportedly found near a bell tent
Ongoing Investigation
The Carabinieri have kept an open mind about the cause of death while a post-mortem is being carried out at a hospital in Augusta. Investigators are exploring multiple possibilities, including suicide, accidental overdose, an erotic game that went wrong, or foul play; local reporting indicates detectives do not currently believe the death was from hanging on the tent pole.
Mr Braithwaite at an unknown destination. Officers are investigating his death
Site Details And Items Found
Police reported finding drugs at the scene and noted injuries to the neck. Journalists who visited the farmhouse described a painted image of a satyr on a stone slab, burnt-out candles on an altar, a stovetop coffee pot, a leather bondage-style harness hanging from a ceiling, a shelf of rubber gas masks, and a cave-like room containing women's fancy dress clothing, makeup and accessories.
Makeup, clothes and accessories kept in a cave at the site - The Telegraph
Claims From A Former Member
"It felt harmless at first — until it wasn't," said a former member who left the group and spoke to reporters. He described the Radical Faeries gatherings he attended as involving New Age pagan rituals, routine drug use and, in some instances, risky sexual practices and spiritual grooming.
The ex-member suggested that vulnerable newcomers could be taken advantage of and speculated the death might have occurred during a drug-influenced sexual encounter. His allegations are unproven and offer one perspective under investigation.
The entrance to the abandoned farmhouse - Handout
Group Activities And Public Listings
Organisers and event listings for Radical Faeries gatherings promote "heart circles," conscious-touch workshops and what they describe as affirmative consent, alongside other queer-pagan activities such as drag-room sessions, hikes and communal meals. Some event descriptions explicitly warn participants about potentially intimate or nude interactions and ask attendees to respect shared play spaces.
An unusual illustration on a stone wall, as seen on a brochure for the Radical Faeries Luminaria Gathering
Local Reaction And Background
Locals and municipal officials in nearby Canicattini Bagni described the group as an off-grid collective that generally kept to itself. Neighbours called the members "flower children" and said the camp had not previously caused problems. Encrypted chat messages seen by reporters show some attendees referred to Mr. Braithwaite by the names "Wasp" or "River" and used they/them pronouns; one message said a member believed he had taken his own life.
Inside the tent pictured on the Radical Faeries Luminaria Gathering's Instagram
What Happens Next
The post-mortem in Augusta is ongoing and police have said they will determine whether a crime was committed once toxicology and forensic results are available. Investigators stressed it may take time to piece together events and urged patience while forensic work continues.
Note: This account summarizes reporting and claims made by a whistleblower and observers. Allegations of wrongdoing remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.
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