Lisa McPherson

1959-1995

Lisa died needlessly at the hands of Scientology.  Hubbard Tech produced the death of a young vibrant woman.


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On December 5, 1995, Lisa McPherson was dead on arrival at a hospital 45 minutes north of Clearwater Florida. According to the coroner's report, Lisa was underweight, severely dehydrated, and had bruises and bug bites (see the entire report here).

Lisa's last address was listed by the police as 210 S. Ft. Harrison in Clearwater Florida, which is the Fort Harrison Hotel, a Scientology property. Lisa had been a Scientologist from the age of 18 to her death at age 36.

Lisa was put on the Introspection Rundown that Scientology uses to handle those who have had a psychotic break.

On November 18, 1995, Lisa was involved in a minor car accident. She was apparently not hurt, but she got out of her car and took all her clothes off and seemed mentally unstable. She was taken to a hospital where she was physically evaluated as being unharmed, but the hospital wanted her to be psychologically cared for. However, some Scientologists arrived and stated that Lisa did not believe in psychiatry, and she checked out after a short evaluation and left with the Scientologists. She went with them to Room 174 of the Ft. Harrison Hotel for "rest and relaxation" according to the church, but church logs from Lisa's stay there  from November 18 to her death December 5 show differently. Some logs are missing, and a high ranking ex-Scientologist has written an affidavit in which he claims that the church has in the past destroyed documents that might get the church in trouble.

The family of Lisa McPherson sued Scientology and individuals involved for wrongful death, while Scientology claimed it did nothing wrong toward Lisa While settlement talks were completed after being forced by the court, (Civil Case settled 5/28/04) the case appears to still be active. Scientology had a web page (removed or moved) that smeared Lisa's aunt and attorney.

On November 13, 1998, Scientology was indicted on 2 felony charges in Lisa's death.  On December 6, 1999, prosecutor Bernie McCabe presented a response to Scientology's attempt to get the case dismissed (note: 250k).

   On June 12, 2000 the criminal charges were dropped against Scientology because (so the prosecutor claims) the medical examiner could not be counted on to confidently testify, even though the criminal charges were abuse of a disabled person and practicing medicine without a license.  You can read much of the Clearwater police department's evidence and Scientology's  logs of Lisa's stay, view some of the autopsy photos, and decide for yourself. Then ask why Scientology now makes members sign a waiver specifically against suing Scientology over the Introspection Rundown:

Lisa clause or Lisa McPherson clause: an adhesion clause to insulate one party from all damages, including personal injury or death, from known and unknown conduct of commission or omission of the party so released. An "adhesion clause" is a recognized legal term which means "take it or leave it", i.e., that the party signing the agreement has no bargaining power and therefore no alternative but to include the clause in the agreement.

Scientologist OT 8 Dr. David I. Minkoff had his license suspended on August 3, 2001 for one year and was fined for prescribing medicine to Lisa without even seeing her at the request of Lisa's "caretakers."

   Scientology conducted a survey in the Clearwater area that shows 4 out of 5 residents have a negative opinion of Scientology. They tried to use this for a time as a reason for a change of venue, then withdrew the request. Why do Scientology web sites claim that Scientology and Clearwater have good relations?

Kennan Dandar is the attorney for the estate of Lisa McPherson.

Site Search:

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Brief timeline of Lisa's story

Lisa's family speaks

documents from criminal case

(2001) submission by Lisa's attorney summarizing the case

Civil Case plaintiff's summary of case

Photo album of Lisa McPherson

The Autopsy Photos WARNING! graphic

expert opinion on Lisa's final condition

Deposition of Dr. Davis, who did the autopsy of Lisa.

A waiver re: Introspection Rundown

Are Florida politicians supporting Scientology?

The only thing Scientology claims they did wrong re: Lisa

this is http://www.lisamcpherson.org

last update 4/25/08.  This page was made public January 13, 1997

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