Scientology whistleblower dies after health battle
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A former senior Scientologist who became one of the Church’s fiercest critics has died, his family revealed – following a battle with cancer.
Mike Rinder, 69, passed a year-and-a-half removed from his advanced esophageal cancer diagnosis, and shortly after sharing a photo with his wife and two kids over Christmas.
In the snap, a smiling Rinder looks a far cry from the man seen next to wife Christie Collbran in photos shot just a few months ago, where the Australian-born defector still had a full head of hair and a healthy complexion.
In the photograph taken December 25, he was bald – seemingly losing his hair within just three months as he grappled with his diagnosis.
In a heartfelt post showing the family during better days, Collbran paid tribute to the father-of-two, who cohosted the Emmy-winning docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath with Leah Remini.
Penning it Sunday, she did not confirm whether it was cancer that took her beloved’s life and did disclose his day of death.
‘Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,’ the update began, before memorializing one of Scientologist’s most high-profile detractors.
He had been part of the agency’s secretive Sea Org for more than three decades, before realizing he had been brainwashed after seeing seeing – and ruminating on – investigative journalist John Sweeney’s film Scientology and Me in 2007.
‘Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband,’ Collbran wrote, revealing the news to the world.
‘I speak for so many when I say the sadness and pain we feel mirror the depth of our unwavering love for you,’ she continued.
‘Your courage, bravery, and integrity are unmatched and will forever inspire us. You have been the pillar of stability in our lives, filling our days with your strength, wisdom, love, laughter, and devotion.
‘The world will remember you.’
The post also contained Rinder’s last words, which Collbran proudly relayed to the public.
‘If you are reading this, I have shuffled off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes,” the final message read.
‘My blog site will remain as an archive of more than 4,000 posts and 300,000 comments.
‘It has been a labor of love and passion which has allowed me to speak my mind and offer my perspective with no outside filters.’
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