Grammy-winning musician Sheila E. has vocally criticized the organizers of a music festival in Carson, California, for continuing the event after a woman died in the VIP section. The incident occurred during a weekend festival held amidst a severe Southern California heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sheila E., known as the "Queen of Percussion," shared her dismay in an emotional Instagram video, directly addressing festival organizers and city officials. "Production, whoever, the city, the mayor was there. All of you guys should have stopped the festival," she stated. "I’m sorry. You should have stopped the festival."
The deceased attendee, identified as Shari Sanders of Altadena, was found unconscious and unresponsive in the VIP area of Carson’s Anderson Memorial Park. According to Sheila E., Sanders was saving seats for her family when she collapsed. A doctor present at the festival attempted to revive Sanders with CPR for 20 minutes, but was unsuccessful.
Sanders' family told KTLA that her death appeared to be heat-related and that she had no pre-existing medical conditions. Her body remained at the park until approximately 5 p.m., about 30 minutes after Sheila E. concluded her performance. Sheila E. expressed that she believed the situation had been handled appropriately during her set and even offered a prayer for the woman, unaware that her body was still present.
"This has never happened to me in my entire career," the 68-year-old artist said. "It was devastating."
Sheila E. also raised concerns about the festival's provisions for attendees during the extreme heat, noting that she believed there was inadequate water available. "The devastating part is she passed away, and we heard that … there was only one water station, which was unfortunate because there was just not enough water for everyone," she said.
Dr. Dionne Leslie, the physician who attempted to save Sanders, recounted the experience, expressing that she initially believed Sanders would survive. "(I was) just trying to breathe air into that woman and for her to look up in that moment, I just thought that she was going to make it," Leslie said. "No one wants to see their mom at a park covered up with kids playing, and music playing, like she didn’t matter."
Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes issued condolences to Sanders' family and Sheila E. A spokesperson for the city of Carson stated that officials are reviewing the circumstances of the death and are cooperating with relevant authorities. The official cause of Sanders' death is currently under investigation.
Sheila E. has had a storied career, winning a Grammy in 2025 for her work on "Bemba Colorá" and collaborating with Prince on the 1980s hit "The Glamorous Life."