Elli Perkins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Elli Present 1949 |
| Died | March 13, 2003 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Multiple stab wounds |
| Occupation | Glass artist |
| Known for | Circumstances of her death |
| Spouse | Don Perkins |
| Children | 2 |
Elli Perkins (née Present; 1949 – March 13, 2003) was an American glass artist and a Scientologist who lived in western New York State, working as a senior auditor at the Church of Scientology branch in Buffalo.
When her son, Jeremy, began to show signs of schizophrenia, Perkins attempted to treat him in accordance with Scientology instead of seeking proper psychiatric care. Jeremy's condition progressed to the point where he felt his mother was poisoning him with the vitamin supplements she forced him to take.[1] After a suicide attempt, Jeremy murdered his mother.
The killing received substantial press coverage, with the implication being that Perkins' refusal to allow Jeremy to be treated by a psychiatrist caused his eventual outburst, and her death.