Mike Linder, a former senior official in the Church of Scientology who later became a public critic of the controversial religious group through blogs, podcasts and a documentary co-starring former believer Leah Remini, has died. He was 69 years old.
The Emmy Award winner posted about his impending death on his blog on Sunday, announcing that the message, titled “Farewell,” would be his final post on his website.
“I have shuffled this mortal coil, following the immutable law that the only two things in life are certain: death and taxes,” his message said, adding, “I rest in peace.” Ta.
“My only real regret is not being able to accomplish what I wanted to do, which was to end the abuses of Scientology, especially amputation and blindness.” [my son] This is jacking on adults,” the whistleblower wrote. “If you are fighting in any way to end these abuses, please keep the flag flying. Never give up.”
The Tampa Bay Times reported that Linder died Sunday in Palm Harbor, Fla., of esophageal cancer.
Linder, who appeared in the shocking 2015 documentary Going Clear and produced and starred in the subsequent A&E documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, has a website with 4,000 followers. He said that it will continue to operate as an archive containing more than 100 posts. He described the site as “a love and passion that allows me to speak my mind and offer my perspective without any external filters.”
“I was lucky to live two lives in one life. The second time, with you all and my new family, will be the most wonderful year anyone could have ever hoped for!” he said. added.
In a message cross-posted to Linder’s Instagram page, his wife Kristy confirmed his death.
“I speak for many when I say that the grief and pain we feel reflects the depth of our unwavering love for you,” she wrote. “Your courage, bravery and integrity are unparalleled and will forever inspire us. You are a pillar of stability in our lives, your strength, wisdom, You filled our days with love, laughter, and dedication. The world will remember you. My best friend, my hero, my love, Michael John Linder.
Tony Ortega, a journalist who has covered Scientology for many years, announced in a June 2023 post on the Underground Bunker blog that Linder had advanced esophageal cancer.
“Mike Linder emailed us today to let us know he has shuffled this mortal coil,” Ortega tweeted Sunday. “It’s typical of him to be so thoughtful to the end. We’re just beginning to understand this news.”
Remini posted about visiting Linder in Florida in December during his battle with cancer, praising the community that rallied to care for him and his family in his final days. The “King of Queens” star has not yet publicly posted about Linder’s death, and her representatives did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment Monday.
Linder was born on April 19, 1955 in Adelaide, Australia. He was raised as a Scientologist, as his parents joined the organization when he was six years old. In 2007, at the age of 52, he spoke publicly against the organization in an investigative series for the St. Petersburg Times, saying he had “finally fled the organization.” In 2009.
As a child, he traveled with his family from Australia to England twice in the 1960s to visit the home of L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction author and founder of Scientology. His parents enrolled him in advanced Scientology courses and auditing, or counseling, and upon graduating from high school in April 1973, he joined an advanced level marine organization.
“This is the dedicated core of Scientology, in which Sea Org members commit to a billion-year pledge to further the purposes of Scientology and live communally with other Sea Org members with little contact with the outside world. Sign it,” Linder said on his website.
As an adult, he said he first met Hubbard, a godlike figure in the organization, aboard Hubbard’s ship Apollo in October 1973. He remained with Sea Org until 2007, getting married and having two children born in Sea Org chapters based in Clearwater and Hemet, Florida.
The author of “A Billion Years” said that after leaving the church, he divorced his first wife, Kathy, and that his mother, daughter Taryn, son Benjamin, and his brother, sister, and their families were also “isolated” from him.
Former members say the Sea Org, under the leadership of Mr. Hubbard’s successor, David Miscavige, who took over when Mr. Hubbard died in 1986, maintained an “endemic violence and abuse.” He accused them of promoting culture.
“Whereas Hubbard was unpredictable, sometimes cruel and harsh, sometimes humorous and compassionate, Miscavige was exclusively cruel and demanding. He seized power and held it ruthlessly. ” Linder wrote on his website.
In the 1980s, Linder became executive director of the Office of Special Affairs and the organization’s public representative. He said he was in charge of media and public affairs and oversaw numerous lawsuits in favor of and against the church, including dealing with Scientology’s “so-called enemies” and directing their “destruction.” During that time, he said, the church organized a smear and intimidation campaign against Scientology journalists, former members and critics.
Most recently, Mr. Linder provided The Times with an article on the high-profile trials of actor Danny Masterson and director Paul Haggis, both of whom were members of the church. The church publicly condemned Linder and Remini, who testified on behalf of former member Haggis, saying they had “no credibility” and were making up lies about the church for money. The group is also campaigning to discredit Mr Linder, who has been removed from the church in “utter disgrace” by church leaders, “stripped of any authority and ultimately committed to serious misconduct”. “I was expelled,” he said.
Church representatives did not immediately respond to the Times’ request for comment Monday.
Linder is survived by his second wife, Christy, their son, Jack, and Christy’s son, Shane. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to Jack’s college fund.
“Let’s bloom and look to the future,” Linder wrote on her website.
