Bartow FL Minister's Wife Evelyn Boyd Starves from Religious Fast

by Liz McKibbon | March 12, 2010 at 10:25 am

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Polk County Florida resident, Evelyn Boyd, 55, has died following extensive religious fasting.

Her husband, John Boyd, a Minister at Higher Praise Gospel Ministries told The Ledger his wife locked herself in a bedroom with just her Bible, a notepad, and some water.

This was not Evelyn Boyd's first fast. She typically fasted for 21 days, praying daily and only drinking water. Boyd's longest fast lasted 40 days and her family tells investigators that she fasted for over 100 days last year alone.

Dehydration Likely Cause of Fasting Death

Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Vera Volnikh estimates Boyd was dead for 1-3 days when her body was discovered. After 21 days of her fast, he went in to check on his wife and found her dead.

While the full autopsy results won't be complete for another month, Dr. Volnikh estimates the cause of death as dehydration. Your body needs double the amount of typical water intake when you remove food from your diet.

Evelyn Boyd was obeying what God told her to do, John Boyd said. "God called her home."

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd investigated the case.

Fasting until you die is extreme, but its not against the law," says Judd. "The Bible speaks of fasting, but no where does God intend for you to fast to death and that's what this lady did.