Hypnotist Scott Lewis dies in Sydney balcony fall

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/12/hypnotist-scott-lewis-dies-in-sydney-balcony-fall

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The world-renowned US hypnotist Dr Scott Lewis, who was performing in a show at the Sydney Opera House, has died after apparently falling from an inner-city apartment balcony.

Lewis was found on a fourth-floor balcony after falling from his 11th-storey apartment. The opera house cancelled a matinee performance of The Illusionists 2:0 and dedicated the evening performance to Lewis. The show would go on, tour management said.

"Dr Lewis was a wonderful performer and he will be greatly missed," the venue said in a statement.

Tim Lawson, co-producer of the show, said the company was "deeply saddened by the sudden loss".

Sydney police said the body of a man found on the balcony of the inner-city apartment block was yet to be formally identified and that specialist forensic officers and detectives were investigating the death, which was not thought to be suspicious, the Australian Associated Press said.

Lewis was in Sydney for a joint act with other performers for an eight-day run at the opera house. He is well known for his television performances and for his solo hypnosis show which ran for a record-breaking nine years at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

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