Lisa McPherson case still an open investigation

[June 7, 1998]

The Lisa McPherson case is still an open investigation in Clearwater, FL. State prosecutors continue to study evidence in an effort to determine whether to file charges against Scientology for McPherson's death. Lisa McPherson died in December, 1995 at 36 after spending 17 ghastly days in the hands of Scientologists in Scientology's landmark building, the Ft. Harrison hotel. The records of Scientologists in charge of her during those days depict a psychologically distressed woman, but she was not medically treated. When she became extremely ill, Scientology staffers drove 45 minutes - past two hospitals - to bring her to a Scientologist doctor. She was dead on arrival. Autopsy reports show she was severely dehydrated and bruised, with insect bits on her body. In December, 1997 investigators recommended to State Attorney Bernie McCabe to prosecute Scientology on criminal charges. According to the 3-year statute of limitations on the kind of charges being considered, McCabe has until December of this year to decide how to proceed. Meanwhile, McPherson's family is continuing its own wrongful death suit against Scientology. Ken Dandar, the attorney in that suit, said of the state's investigation, "It is a criminal case that borders on homicide, and they have to be very careful about what they're doing." [St. Petersburg Times, June 7, 1998].