Scientology Exec Turned TV Whistleblower Dies at 69

[Mark Jeffries]

Mike Rinder grew up in a household of believers of the "church" founded by L. Ron Hubbard, joining the Sea Org part of the group at 18 and eventually becoming main spokesman to the media, specializing in smear campaigns and intimidation against their critics and former members--he was dismissed from his job in 2005 and decided to expose the organization's dealings, first in BBC and HBO documentaries and then, with former Scientologist and TV sitcom star Leah Remini, in "Scientology and the Aftermath," the 2016 A&E docuseries that ran for three years and won two Emmys--he later partnered with Remini for a podcast on Scientology--over the weekend, no cause mentioned, although he had been suffering from advanced esophageal cancer:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mike-rinder-former-senior-scientologist-dead-at-69-leah-remini-1236099700/

 

In a blog post entered after his death, Mr. Rinder said, "My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology":

https://www.mikerindersblog.org/farewell/