Dr. George Kenney Hypnotized High School Students Until 3 Teens Died

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A high school principal hypnotizing his students and getting blamed for three unexpected deaths sounds like a bizarre scripted story.

But this isn't someone's invention. This was real.

After three students died within the same short period of time, Dr. George Kenney and his hypnosis sessions took the blame.

This week's The Curious Case Of … delved into this strange and tragic story. Was Kenney really to blame?

Former high school principal Dr. George Kenney ignited a firestorm of controversy and ultimately resigned. (Image Credit: WFLA)

This painful story began with only good intentions

In 2007, a Florida high school principal hypnotized students at an assembly during a lock-in. Despite a teacher's report, this was only the beginning. From there, it extended to one-on-one sessions with students.

16-year-old Marcus Freeman began having one-on-one sessions with Dr. Kenney ahead of football games. Allegedly, the goal was to allow Freeman to ignore pain while playing football.

(Kenney has hit back at this characterization, saying that this was not a pain-resistance hypnosis, but to help him process what was going on on the field)

On March 15, 2011, Freeman was driving home with his girlfriend following a painful trip to the dentist.

According to his girlfriend's report to police, he got a "strange look on his face" and then crashed into a tree. She survived with serious injuries. Freeman died.

Wesley McKinley was also 16 and undergoing hypnosis sessions from Dr. Kenney. He had three known sessions.

He was preparing to audition at Juilliard. However, the day of his death, he began acting strangely.

"It was Friday afternoon. Wesley had come home from school, walked past me, put his bookbag down and walked out the back door," his mother recalled.

"He had told me friends were coming over," she described. "I asked what time they were coming over, and he just walked past me out the back door … an hour later I heard sirens."

According to Kenney, McKinley was a victim of "drama behind the scenes" and cyberbullying. He was unaware that McKinley was suffering from depression.

An anonymous high school student experiences a hypnotherapy session with Dr. George Kenney. (Image Credit: AMC+)

Three tragic deaths took place within a span of weeks

17-year-old Brittany Palumbo met with Dr. Kenney at least once in late 2010. Her goal was to improve her SAT score — by grappling with her test-taking anxiety.

Fast forward a few months, and Palumbo was stressed about not being accepted to UCF. She and her boyfriend of several years had also just broken up — a huge deal at 17.

(Unlike a number of other students, Palumbo did not find that hypnosis helped. She did not perform well on her SAT.)

On May 4, 2011, Palumbo announced that she was going to take a nap.

At dinner time, her parents discovered her dead in her closet.

Even his harshest critics do not believe that Dr. George Kenney had any bad intentions. (Image Credit: AMC+)

No one believes that Dr. Kenney intended any harm to his students. Instead, they believe that he was allegedly irresponsible — and may have left them in vulnerable mental states, or inadvertently given them the tools with which to enter a detached state and end their lives.

Other students came forward to defend Kenney. Some cited how much they believe that sessions with him helped them — including with test scores.

The Florida Department of Health investigated a number of cases. They accused Kenney of violating state law — because he is not a licensed healthcare professional.

In June 2012, Dr. Kenney resigned. He also pleaded no contest to practicing therapeutic hypnosis without a license.

This is a misdemeanor offense. By taking this plea, he avoided the more serious charge of practicing therapy without a license. That felony charge could have meant prison time — and a loss of his retirement benefits.

At first. Dr. George Kenney displayed his hypnotism interest in a group setting. (Image Credit: AMC+)

There are no winners in this story — only sorrow

Following his plea, Kenney received two consecutive sentences of six months of probation. He was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.

In December 2012, the parents of Freeman, McKinely, and Palumbo filed wrongful death suits against the Sarasota County school board.

Per their suit, Kenney's hypnosis allegedly led to the deaths of their teens. And they said that it was the school board's responsibility to step in and prevent these unlicensed hypnotherapy sessions.

In October of 2015, the families and the school board reached a settlement. Each family received $200,000, the maximum sum.

There are no winners here. No one believes that Dr. Kenney intended any harm, and there are understandable doubts about whether his hypnosis sessions actually changed anything or played any role in these tragic deaths.

Dr. George Kenney Hypnotized High School Students Until 3 Teens Died was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Sarah Ferguson: Will Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘House Assistant’ Face Charges …

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As we previously reported, Prince Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office.

The arrest is a result of the disgraced royal's — Andrew has already been stripped of his land and titles — connection with the deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

And now, many observers believe that Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, might be in hot water as a result of her own ties with Epstein.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York attend the Thanksgiving Service for King Constantine of the Hellenes at St George's Chapel on February 27, 2024 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

As you may already know, Ferguson's name appears in the Epstein files numerous times.

By all appearances, the former duchess and the disgraced financier maintained a very close friendship over the years.

In fact, Ferguson might be the only person to reference Epstein's "secret child" in one of her emails.

Sarah's desperation for cash seems to have been the glue that held their friendship together.

And in one newly released exchange, she begs Epstein for a job as his "house assistant."

"But why I don't understand, don't you just get me to be your House Assistant. I am the most capable and desperately need the money," Fergie allegedly wrote in a 2010 email (via Fox News), adding:

Sarah Ferguson attends the Perfect World Foundation's Honorary Conservation Award red carpet on September 05, 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Julia Reinhart/Getty Images)

"Please Jeffrey think about it."

It's worth noting that Epstein was coinvicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

The case was well-publicized, so anyone who interacted with him after the fact would have known that they were interacting with a child sex offender.

Unlike Andrew, Sarah has never been accused of sexual misconduct on Epstein's infamous island.

But it seems that she engaged in quite a bit of questionable conduct while holding public office, which is what led to Andrew's downfall.

So could Fergie wind up facing criminal charges? That remains to be seen — but she's already been convicted in the court of public opinion.

"This is beyond the pale," royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Fox News this week, adding:

Sarah, Duchess of York arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"If this was an isolated email it would be bad enough, but majorly significant is the compounding effect as it confirms her horrifically bad judgment, her moral depravity and her greedy ways, since she lived rather an extravagant lifestyle."

Royal commentator Meredith Constant echoed those sentiments, noting that Ferguson's lack of cash seems to have driven her to take desperate measures:

"Sarah Ferguson has always struggled with finances, but 2010 was a particularly bad year," Constant told Fox News.

"In May of 2010, she was caught in a 'cash-for-access' scandal, when News of the World sent a reporter disguised as a businessman and caught Sarah Ferguson promising access to former Prince Andrew, who was the U.K. trade envoy at the time, in exchange for £500,000."

We probably don't need to tell you that that's not a good look — and Fergie is probably feeling mighty nervous right now.

Sarah Ferguson: Will Jeffrey Epstein's 'House Assistant' Face Charges … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Nicole Curtis Implies Ex-Boyfriend Blackmailed Her Over N-Word Video

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Nicole Curtis isn't ready to name names just yet.

But the former HGTV personality isn't against pointing a rather obvious finger in someone's general direction.

Last week, as reported on here at The Hollywood Gossip, Curtis watched as the aforementioned cable network pulled all episodes of her home renovation show, Rehab Addict, from its airwaves after a controversial video surfaced.

Of Curtis using the N-Word on camera.

(HGTV)

The clip was reportedly filmed over four years ago and depicted Curtis making a mistake amid a home repair and then uttering the unusual epithet "fart n–ger."

She immediately seemed shocked and appalled by what came out of her mouth and asked the individual behind the camera to please erase the footage.

Clearly, he or she did not do so.

Not long after Curtis' series was canceled and this slur went viral, the host apologized for her behavior.

"I want to be clear: the word in question is wrong and not part of my vocabulary and never has been, and I apologize to everyone," Curtis told TMZ, later stating via Instagram:

"I make no excuse for this. I am not [a] victim. Nothing I say or do will take that moment 4 years ago away. I know it was wrong. This will never happen again." 

(HGTV)

On Tuesday, meanwhile, Curtis shared an extensive update about her situation that very clearly said the aforementioned video was used in an extortion attempt.

"I was not contracted to any network or show. (think free agent in sports)," Curtis posted on Instagram as part of a lengthy caption that outlined how things went down.

"My crew didn't steal my footage. I don't have 'sets.' I own all my properties. In other words, no one is my 'boss,' I'm the boss. I create product & sell the rights of it & my likeness for limited contracted use.

Someone personal (not crew) had access, demanded $, I didn't pay-here we are.

Here we are, indeed. Interesting, huh?

After the footage leaked last week, Curtis explained that it was NOT shot on the set of Rehab Addict as most observers assumed.

"That was all my footage, my cameras, my house-it was not for HGTV, not for a show, no one would have ever seen the footage," she wrote. "HGTV was not aware because it was shot on my own personal time, done and equipment. No one was aware except the people in that room."

Nicole Curtis helps to own a new World Market location in this photo. She's best known as host of Rehab Addict. (Getty)

Okay. Well. This statement raises an obvious question, right?

If someone tried to blackmail Curtis… and only the people in that room had access to the footage… then who was in the room?!?

At another point, Curtis also claimed that no one had access to the drives the footage was on … except herself and her ex-boyfriend.

She didn't name this ex-boyfriend. But it's not very hard to put two and two together here, is it?

Nicole Curtis Implies Ex-Boyfriend Blackmailed Her Over N-Word Video was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Spark Reconciliation Rumors After Embracing In Public

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It's been almost seven years since Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner ended their marriage.

But the former couple is making headlines, thanks to rumors that they might be considering a reconciliation.

The speculation started, of all places, on a paintball field.

Ben and Jen were competing alongside their 13-year-old son Ben (they also have two daughters together).

Actress Jennifer Garner and actor-director Ben Affleck arrive at the Oscars at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Ben and Jen pack on the PDA while playing paintball

At one point during the battle, Ben playfully hugged Jen around the waist.

According to a report from Page Six, Garner "seemed to welcome" the embrace. It's not the first indication that the exes enjoy a very close relationship.

One source tells the outlet that Affleck and Garner have "found themselves leaning on each other more than ever" in recent years.

"They really do have a close bond," the insider added.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner arrive at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 2, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. (ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Would Jen be willing to give Ben a second chance?

But does that mean that the exes would be willing to give their marriage another shot?

Well, a different insider tells Page Six that Ben "would love another chance" with Jennifer.

The source says that "would definitely be open to giving things another shot with Jen if the timing is ever right." But currently, the timing seems not to be right.

"At the same time, Ben knows it's just not realistic at this time in their lives," the insider adds.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner arrive on the red carpet for the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Ben and Jen's complex situation, explained

These days, Ben is single, having finalized his divorce from Jennifer Lopez last year.

Jen is currently in an "on-off" romance with businessman John Miller.

However, a source tells Page Six that Miller is unhappy about her "close relationship" with Affleck.

"John feels like a third wheel," says the insider.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, winner of the Best Picture award for 'Argo' arrive at the 2013 Governors Ball on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California.
(AFP PHOTO/VALERIE MACON)

But despite the rumors of friction, it seems that Jen and John are still very much together, and a reconciliation with Ben is simply not in the cards right now.

"Ben just got out of a marriage and finalized his divorce [from Jennifer Lopez], he is really busy with work and is focused on this new chapter," the source explains.

"Plus, Ben respects Jen's relationship with John [Miller] and would never come between them."

Another insider tells Page Six, "The feeling is not mutual on Jen's side. She's happy with John and that's just not where her head is at. She has a great co-parenting relationship with Ben, and that's where things stand on her end at the moment."

So it seems that Ben will have to content himself with a close friendship. Probably for the best. He should try dating someone who's not named Jen for a change.

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Spark Reconciliation Rumors After Embracing In Public was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Hailey Bieber Health Update: I’m Nervous After My Mini-Stroke & Heart Surgery!

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How is Hailey Bieber doing?

It's so refreshing to see her take a break from quashing rumors to actually talk about the things that interest her.

Health interests her.

After her alarming mini stroke and the heart surgery that she underwent, that's a good focus for her attention.

During a 'Therapuss' interview in February 2026, Hailey Bieber delved into topics from her 17-month-old son to her health. (Image Credit: Netflix)

'I had a crazy medical situation'

On the Wednesday, February 18 episode of Jake Shane's Therapuss podcast, Hailey delved into her renewed focus upon health in recent years.

"I just am so fascinated with the body and medicine and doctors," she shared.

"And," Hailey expressed, "I love it."

She went on to detail both her highly publicized mini stroke and her much less famous heart surgery.

(As we have previously reported, Hailey did one of the most informative-yet-down-to-earth explanation videos after her stroke that we've ever seen.)

"A couple of years ago, I had a crazy medical situation," Hailey acknowledged.

In March of 2022, she continued, "I had a mini stroke."

Hailey added: "Then I found that I had this heart defect that I was born with." Those can be anything from minor to life-threatening.

"So I had to get surgery for it, which sounds really crazy," she admitted.

"But," Hailey described, "they went through my groin and I was in and out of the hospital the same day."

While hosting the 2026 Grammys, Trevor Noah stopped by to chat with Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber. (Image Credit: CBS)

'My obsession with medicine'

As she explained in detail after recovering, Hailey had suffered a transient ischemic attack.

The root cause was a patent foramen ovale (PFO) — an opening in the heart smaller than an ASD.

This was the heart defect that the surgery repaired. Many adults have PFOs without knowing it.

Many heart procedures are now performed by going into major blood vessels near the groin.

Recovery is a delicate process, but nothing compared to the days of opening a ribcage to operate on a heart.

Of course Hailey Bieber's son is already singing Justin Bieber songs!

Her episode of Therapuss with Jake Shane is now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/VuLVyUGZJi

— Netflix (@netflix) February 19, 2026

"That situation made me a little bit extra hyper-aware of my body and a little bit more nervous about things and staying on top of them," Hailey described.

She added: "But I've just always been really focused and fascinated on health."

According to Hailey: "It was also kind of what led me to want to [start my beauty company], Rhode."

She shared: "My obsession with skincare also comes from my obsession with medicine."

That sounds much healthier than the crunchy-to-alt-right pipeline epidemic that too often drives "health-conscious" people away from actual medicine and towards dangerous pseudoscience. Good for Hailey!

In February 2026, Hailey Bieber shared some heartwarming stories about motherhood. (Image Credit: Netflix)

Heart defects like hers can go undetected for a lifetime

Fortunately, Hailey is a billionaire. She has access to the best healthcare in the world.

(Some might argue that, after a certain amount of wealth, quality of care may decrease as the ultra-rich are able to pick which doctors tell them what they want to hear, and thus some follow fads instead of sound medical advice)

Meanwhile, many people might not even be able to afford consulting a doctor if they experienced unexplained symptoms — like those of her 2022 mini-stroke.

We're so glad that Hailey was able to get treatment, get answers, and have the problem with her heart resolved.

By sharing what she's going through, she could help other people be more aware that this is a real possibility.

Hailey Bieber Health Update: I'm Nervous After My Mini-Stroke & Heart Surgery! was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Feel ‘Vindicated’ By Prince Andrew Arrest, Royal …

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As we previously reported, the former Prince Andrew was arrested today on suspicion of misconduct while in public office.

The arrest — which appears to be a result of Andrew's connection to Jeffrey Epstein — took place on the disgraced royal's 66th birthday.

King Charles has already revealed that he supports the move, and other members of the royal family are believed to be preparing statements.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2022 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

But there are two royals who are blissfully exempt from the need to do damage control.

We're talking, of course, about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex currently live more than 5,000 miles away from London, and their emotional distance from Harry's family might be even greater.

While there may have been times when Harry and Meghan felt pangs of regret over their decision to step down as senior royals, you can be sure that that's not the case today.

"Meghan and Harry have long felt the royals have used them as scapegoats to distract from much more damaging issues, like Andrew and his ties to Epstein," a source tells Heat UK.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the Project Healthy Minds 3rd Annual Gala at Spring Studios on October 09, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

"That's been their private narrative for years: while they were being 'crucified over so much less,' the Andrew situation was quietly pushed into the background.

"It was always hard for them to understand how that could just be swept under the rug and ignored," the insider adds.

"So, to have Andrew finally facing some consequences has got to feel vindicating for them."

And if you think Meghan feels any sympathy for the in-laws who drove her out of London, think again.

"With the royals coming under further scrutiny and pressure over their family ties with Andrew, we're told that Meghan has little sympathy — and both she and Harry feel that William and Kate deserve this," the insider says.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

"The fact that this mess has landed on William and Kate's doorstep won't earn them any sympathy from Meghan. In her view, they chose the side of the institution that let this go on for years, so now they're going to pay the price for that decision," the source continues.

"No doubt they'll be cleaning up this mess for years to come and Meghan and Harry are thrilled to be 10,000 miles away from all of it."

Meanwhile, a newly released 2010 email from Andrew to Epstein says that the two of them have "some interesting things to discuss and plot" (per TMZ).

Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. Needless to say, it's a good time to be far away from the Windsor clan.

"It must be nice not to be a part of the royal noise for once," the insider says of Harry and Meghan, adding:

"Harry and Meghan are immensely relieved that they removed themselves from the whole institution years ago, and after all they endured, it's got to be hard not to feel smug about this. They've been saying for years that uncomfortable truths can't be buried forever and now they're being proven right."

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Feel 'Vindicated' By Prince Andrew Arrest, Royal … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Savannah Chrisley Squares Off on ‘The View’ Over Trump, AOC

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With Alyssa Farah Griffin welcoming her first child, she's on maternity leave.

The View's rotating guest co-hosts are bound to generate controversy.

When it comes to Savannah Chrisley, the backlash is arguably the incentive behind hiring her.

This week, she was at odds with everyone else as the panelists discussed AOC and Donald Trump. But did she make a decent point?

As guest co-host on 'The View,' Savannah Chrisley surprised no one by defending the man who pardoned her parents. (Image Credit: ABC)

Everybody gaffes (but you hate to see it)

On the Wednesday, February 18 episode of The View, guest co-host Savannah found herself at odds with the other panelists.

Recently, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended the Munich Security Conference.

While there were much more dramatic moments (Senator Lindsey Graham reportedly pitched a hissy fit at Greenland's Premier, for example) and the media made it all about 2028 instead of even larger political issues, one moment went viral.

AOC paused when asked about whether the US should send military aid to Taiwan in the event that China invades. She stumbled over her words, which was disappointing.

There are questions about how and why the moment got so much intense and virtually identical coverage immediately. But, regardless, it made the Hot Topics segment — where the panelists discussed the gaffe and the disproportionate backlash.

Naturally, many people compared AOC's awkward response to Donald Trump, who famously struggles with words and who, more often than not, speaks incoherently.

(Everyone in the world jumbles sentences, in writing and in speech. Most do not give Farrah Abraham a run for her money the way that Trump does.)

Trump personally blasted Ocasio-Cortez after the clip went viral, saying that "she had no idea what was happening."

Following that bit of apparent projection, The View played a small sampling of America's mad king's own blunders.

Guest panelist Savannah argued: "Mispronouncing a word is totally different from not knowing your position on Taiwan."

In footage from Munich, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a gaffe at a question on sensitive international relations. (Image Credit: ABC)

'The recovery is what mattered'

We did not expect to say this, but Savannah had an interesting argument.

"What's important is how you recover from something," she proposed.

"[Trump] has continued on with his speech," Savannah suggested, "and then continued on to meet with world leaders."

Savannah emphasized: "So the recovery is what mattered."

Not everyone would treat simply plowing forward as synonymous with moving on. But still, it's an interesting assessment of media attention.

On 'The View,' co-host Whoopi Goldberg puts things into perspective. (Image Credit: ABC)

Whoopi spoke up to highlight how there are hundreds of people in Congress, which is why she rarely bats an eye

In contrast, she explained, she holds whoever occupies the Oval Office at any given moment to a higher standard.

"I understand that wholeheartedly," Savannah replied.

She then argued: "AOC, though, is also the Democrats' pick for the next election."

Is she? That would be fantastic, and an excellent pushback to the man who really wants to be the frontrunner in the 2028 Democratic primary (but who must not be), Gavin Newsom.

A smiling Savannah Chrisley is one of the rotating guest co-hosts on 'The View' while one of the panelists is out on maternity leave. (Image Credit: ABC)

'People stumble'

"You better tell that to Gavin Newsom," Joy then joked.

Whoopi, who is perhaps one of the most experienced public speakers on the planet — having been a celebrity longer than many of us have been alive — brought things back to the topic of messing up.

"As one who stepped in much poo over the years, you know, it's just a little message to everybody," Whoopi said. "None of us is perfect. And this does happen — people stumble."

She's right.

As for the coverage, it's of course possible that a lot of very wealthy, very bad people were waiting to boost any error that AOC might make.

It is also possible that she received disproportionate attention because she so rarely stumbles over her words. In contrast, Trump's constant struggles with sentence structure allows him to benefit from low expectations.

Savannah Chrisley Squares Off on 'The View' Over Trump, AOC was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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