Lisa McPherson | |
|---|---|
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| Born | February 10, 1959 |
| Died | December 5, 1995 (aged 36) |
| Cause of death | |
Lisa McPherson (February 10, 1959 – December 5, 1995) was an American Scientologist who died in the care of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida. After a minor traffic accident where McPherson seemed unharmed, she removed her clothes in the street and paramedics transported her to a local hospital. In order to avoid psychiatric intervention, local Scientologists convinced her to leave the hospital and seek care at the nearby Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization (FSO). There she was held against her will for 17 days without any medical care, while her physical and mental condition rapidly deteriorated and she died. Following the report by the state medical examiner that indicated that McPherson was a victim of negligent homicide, FSO was indicted on two felony charges, "abuse and/or neglect of a disabled adult" and "practicing medicine without a license." The charges were dropped after the state's medical examiner changed the cause of death from "undetermined" to an "accident" on June 13, 2000. A civil suit brought by McPherson's family was settled on May 28, 2004.[1][2][3]
- ^ Frantz, Douglas (December 1, 1997). "Distrust in Clearwater -- A special report.; Death of a Scientologist Heightens Suspicions in a Florida Town". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
- ^ Tobin, Thomas C. (February 23, 2000). "Church member's death now called accident". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on August 19, 2000. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
- ^ Farley, Robert (May 29, 2004). "Scientologists settle death suit". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2008.