TRAVOLTA, KIRSTIE & SCIENTOLOGY MYSTERY DEATH

[National Enquirer, 19 January 1999]

[on the cover in the upper left-hand corner are pictures of John
Travolta and Kirstie Alley, and, in black lettering on yellow
background, "TRAVOLTA, KIRSTIE & SCIENTOLOGY MYSTERY DEATH"]

=================================
Copyright 1999 by National Enquirer, Inc.

TRAVOLTA, KIRSTIE & BIZARRE SCIENTOLOGY DEATH
By John Blosser and Darryl Wrobel
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Two of Hollywood's biggest stars--John Travolta and Kirstie
Alley--have rallied to the support of Scientology which is charged in
the horrifying death of an attractive young member.

Late last year the religious organization was hit with two felony
charges in the death of emotionally troubled Lisa McPherson, who died
terribly emaciated and dehydrated after being "treated" in isolation
by Scientologists for 17 days.

The controversial church soon found itself under siege, and both
Travolta and Alley--devout Scientologists--appeared on the December 20
edition of ABC's "20/20" and returned fire at critics.

Declared the "Pulp Fiction" star:  "You can look at the origins of
almost every religion and the first so many years they are attacked."

Supporters claim that just a few Scientology defectors are responsible
for smearing the organization and the defectors' views are worthless.

The "Veronica's Closet" star asserted, "If you divorce a woman, and
she gives me her version of why she left you, how valid do you think
it is?"

When respected newsman Tom Jarriel asked Travolta if attacks on
Scientology "make your blood boil a little bit," the angry actor
replied, "It's beyond blood boiling.  We're talking about worldwide
survival here."

The Church of Scientology pleaded not guilty to the charges lodged
against them in Lisa McPherson's death--abuse and/or neglect of a
disabled adult and unauthorized practice of medicine.

Under Florida law, the maximum penalty is a $5,000 fine for each
charge, but the courts may impose additional penalties, including
forfeiture of property.

What's more, Lisa's family has brought a wrongful death suit and is
asking for substantial punitive damages.

During her 17-day ordeal, Lisa was repeatedly restrained from leaving
her room at the Scientology compound in Clearwater, Fla., say
investigators.

"Lisa's weight plunged from nearly 155 pounds to 108 and her level of
dehydration was twice what it takes to kill someone--all because she
was being restrained by Scientologists who claimed they were trying to
help her," declared attorney Ken Dandar, representing Lisa's family.

But the tragedy didn't stop Travolta and Alley from singing the
praises of Scientology on TV.

"I took a course, and my life has never been the same," the former
"Welcome Back, Kotter" star told "20/20".

And Kirstie--who once abused drugs--boasted that after her initial
Scientology session "I never did drugs again or had the urge to do
drugs again."

But Lisa McPherson's experience with the church--founded 45 years ago
by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard--was tragically different.

A devout practitioner for 18 years, the pretty 36-year-old paid
$97,000 to take Scientology courses in the last two years of her life.

But by late 1995, Lisa had become disillusioned with the organization
and wanted to leave, says Dandar.

On Nov. 18, 1995, Lisa--who worked for the church's publishing
division--was involved in a bizarre incident.  While driving, Lisa was
uninjured but immediately began behaving strangely.  She started
walking down the middle of the road--stark naked.

She told paramedics she was simply trying to get their attention
because she was in trouble, according to attorney Dandar.

"I need help," she told her rescuers.  "I need to talk to someone."

Dazed and confused, Lisa was rushed to a Clearwater hospital.  "Twelve
Scientologists showed up to take Lisa away and they told doctors they
would give her the help she needed," said Dandar.

The Scientologists--who distrust standard psychotherapy
techniques--locked Lisa in a room for 17 days at a local Scientology
center, which aggravated her mental breakdown, charged the attorney.

"While in confinement, Lisa was fed mashed bananas and calmag--a
calcium-magnesium concoction.  But she spit it up ... She was so weak
from dehydration, she couldn't even walk."

In a chilling description reminiscent of Nazi death camp stories, the
family's lawsuit charges, "During this time Lisa McPherson tried to
flee and was physically restrained, including being tied to the bed,
and her condition worsened until she was babbling incoherently unable
to sleep.

"No medically licensed personnel were brought in to see her ... She
ultimately slipped into a coma or coma-like state."

After 17 days, Lisa's "caretakers" finally took her to a hospital.  It
was too late.  Her suffering ended in death.

John Travolta and Kirstie Alley were not asked about the chilling
death during their "20/20" appearance, but a source says their faith
in Scientology remains unshaken.

Church spokeswoman Janet Weiland told The ENQUIRER that no one
intended to harm Lisa--and that is why the state of Florida did not
file charges against individual Scientologists.

But the firestorm swirling around the church's celebrity supporters is
far from dying down.

Although several other stars--including Tom Cruise--insist Scientology
techniques enrich their lives and help with daily problems, critics
are not hard to find.

"I'm outraged that John Travolta and Kirstie Alley are saying how
wonderful Scientology is, while Lisa McPherson is dead," fumed Arnie
Lerma, ex-member and former financial manager for Scientology
publications.

"They have become mindless robots for Scientology."

[includes two "Fast Fact" blurbs:  "John Travolta got only $140,000
for his Oscar-nominated performance in 'Pulp Fiction'--and not long
after he was commanding $20 million a picture", and "Before Kirstie
Alley broke into movies playing the Vulcan Lt. Saavik in 1982's 'Star
Trek II:  The Wrath of Khan,' she was a successful interior
decorator."

pictures--

1.  Picture of Lisa McPherson with caption, "LISA McPHERSON Died in
isolation"

2.  Picture of CW picket--apparently from about 2 years ago or more as
there were Scientologists with picket signs as well as critics--the
signs said, "Druggies stay out of Clearwater", "Stop crime...not
religion", Many more will die (with picture of Lisa)", "Anti-drug
awareness day", "Scientologists misuse women!", "Larry Wollersheim,
con man", "Lisa's blood on Scieno hands (with bloody hand prints), and
"No more hate crimes".  Caption says "RIVALS RALLY:  Scientology
supporters and critics outside the group's headquarters in Clearwater,
Fla. after Lisa's mystery death."

3.  Picture of John Travolta with caption, "JOHN TRAVOLTA was angered
by attacks from Scientology's critics."

4.  Picture of Kirstie Alley with caption "KIRSTIE ALLEY says
Scientology saved her from drugs."


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Sue, SP4(:), listed on the Scieno Sitter list 5 times!
--
http://www.primenet.com/~xenubat

"It will take a *long* time to find another enemy
with the combination of evil and incompetence
you see in Scientology."--Keith Henson


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