Thirty years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life

 
TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: And so we reach the 30th anniversary of Scientology’s grimmest scandal, the tragic death of Lisa McPherson. We conclude our series about her final days with the truly disturbing details about her final hours. ALSO: Scientology’s UK headquarters hacked by ransomware criminals! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]

 
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Technology Cocktail

“If a workman was supposed to cure an ox hide and was told salt would do it and he had a magical complex, what would he do. Well, he might take a small salt shaker and sprinkle the corner of the hide (thinking the right thought) and find that the hide rotted in a few days. He could then conclude salt didn’t cure ox hides. If someone kept hammering at him to cure ox hides with salt and he kept sprinkling the corner (knowing it wouldn’t work) he’d get a very odd idea about his orders! But who would suspect that this workman thought it was magic! An honest rubbing of salt all over and into the ox hide is the meaning of ‘salt will cure ox hides!’ But that would take work. It would take TIME! It would have to be honestly and thoroughly done. But one would have cured ox hides and gotten shoes and a profit and pay and everything for one had a product. Magical thought in auditing isn’t likely to give anyone a product of really able people!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1980

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

 
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Source Code

“The magic cults of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th centuries in the Middle East were fascinating. The only modern work that has anything to do with them is a trifle wild in spots, but it’s fascinating work in itself, and that’s work written by Aleister Crowley, the late Aleister Crowley, my very good friend. And he did himself a splendid piece of aesthetics built around those magic cults. It’s very interesting reading to get ahold of a copy of a book, quite rare, but it can be obtained, ‘The Master Therion,’ T-h-e-r-i-o-n, The Master Therion by Aleister Crowley. He signs himself The Beast, the mark of the beast six sixty-six. Very, very something or other, but anyway the, Crowley exhumed a lot of the data from these old magic cults.” — L. Ron Hubbard, December 5, 1952

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“DARBY: As the Income-Outgo picture is poor, you should quickly take advantage of the opportunity to attain one or more of the £5 prizes. Not unlike an old Easter Egg hunt, the DARBY offers cash prizes to the lucky winners. Score to date: Rewards — 54 £5 prizes. Penalties — 651 £1 penalties. At least defend your area against penalties! Look on the crew notice board for a surprise. The Darby goes on.” — The Commodore, December 5, 1971

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“Ron was interested in producing a philosophy which had practical use. That was something which hasn’t been done in hundreds or thousands of years. Instead, philosophers (both east and west) sit around and issue thunderous principles which have little or no relation to anything in the real world. Religion and philosophy have acted to civilize the world to some extent, to be sure. But the wars, conflicts, crime and insanity which are part and parcel of life on Earth haven’t lessened significantly. Proving that religion and philosophy have generally let Man down. Scientology is a colossal advance. I don’t think even most Scientologists realize how profound it is. And for the most part one guy — one guy — came up with it. It’s just about beyond the imagination. I get amused at those in the Field who complain about the arrogance of Scientologists who claim to have the only road out. While arrogance isn’t desirable, no other group on Earth has more right to be ‘arrogant’ than we have. Ron wasn’t exaggerating about what he said in KSW and Safeguarding Technology.”

Past is Prologue

1999: Despite Scientology’s construction areas around Clearwater buildings, protests were held this week to commemorate the anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s death. From the St. Petersburg Times: “Ah, early December in downtown Clearwater. Light poles wrapped in red holiday ribbons. Trees along Cleveland Street abloom with tiny white lights. And, now, a newer tradition: the annual game of cat and mouse between the Church of Scientology and about two dozen of its most vocal critics, who for three years have gathered in Clearwater to stage protests on the anniversary of the Dec. 5, 1995, death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson. The church has torn up sidewalks on the north and west sides of its worldwide ‘mecca,’ the Fort Harrison Hotel. Just around the corner, it has constructed a 20-foot-high steel scaffold sheathed in green mesh across the lower facade of the hotel, making walking there impossible. It also has pulled up about 1,000 feet of sidewalk along Drew Street, most of it in front of its glistening Sandcastle property. ‘They’d rather destroy their own property than see criticism,’ said Jeff Jacobsen of Arizona, an organizer of the annual picket. The old sidewalks, they say, will be replaced with ‘integrally colored stamped concrete’ that will look and feel like bricks. Though the public owns the sidewalks, the church has agreed to maintain them and is paying $500,000 to rebuild them. The scaffolding is needed for roof, window and stucco repairs to the Fort Harrison, according to a city permit. Workers also will drill into the base of the building to test the load capacity
for a skywalk that someday will connect the Fort Harrison with Scientology’s mammoth new building under construction immediately across the street. The pickets will choose another place for their protest, Jacobsen said. They also plan a conference on ‘Scientology/Clearwater Relations’ on Saturday at the Holiday Inn on U.S. 19 near Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. A candlelight vigil is planned that evening. The events, as in past years, memorialize McPherson, the Scientologist who died while in the care of church staffers after a 17-day stay at the Fort Harrison Hotel.”

 
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Random Howdy

“I remember like 2009 thinking we were kicking ass on Scientology on YouTube and the whole cult/magical thinking in general…and then I discovered David Icke, and I remember thinking ‘What’s the use?’ Knock one down and another takes its place.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Judge Hammock’s ruling is on appeal. Leah’s appeal brief was filed June 3. Respondent briefs are due September 2.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Twenty-nine years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[TWO years ago] Twenty-eight years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[THREE years ago] Twenty-seven years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[FOUR years ago] Twenty-six years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[FIVE years ago] Twenty-five years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[SIX years ago] Give Scientology $500 and you too could be a ‘Harlem Homie’!
[SEVEN years ago] Slimed by Scientology, Cierra Westerman says she’s still feeling good about coming forward
[EIGHT years ago] Danny Masterson fired from minor TV show, still no word from glacial D.A.’s office about rapes
[NINE years ago] EXCLUSIVE: Scientology tried to derail Remini series by calling 14-year-old ‘aggressor’ in rape
[TEN years ago] Twenty years ago today: The final hours of Lisa McPherson’s Scientology life
[ELEVEN years ago] Steve Cannane has Scientology book news, and helps us with a Down Under history lesson
[TWELVE years ago] RUSSELL MILLER’S BARE-FACED MESSIAH, BACK IN PRINT IN FEBRUARY!
[THIRTEEN years ago] Lisa McPherson Day: Is Florida Ashamed Yet?

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on December 5, 2025 at 07:00

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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2024 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2024), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 20 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

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Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone