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Death Of Scientology Critic 'Does Appear To Be Suicide'

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2008

CLEARWATER - A Church of Scientology critic was found dead over the weekend in what police are calling a suicide.

The body of Shawn Lonsdale, 39, was found in his home at 510 N. Lincoln Ave. about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, said Elizabeth Daly-Watts, Clearwater public safety spokeswoman.

"I can tell you there are no signs of foul play,'' she said. "It does appear to be a suicide.''

A garden hose was found leading from Lonsdale's car into his home, Daly-Watts said. Neighbors called police after noticing a smell coming from the house. Inside, police found what is believed to be a suicide note.

The note was not immediately available. It will be made public once the case is closed, Daly-Watts said. She did not know when police would complete the investigation.

An official cause of death is pending, the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office said today .

Luke Lirot, a First Amendment attorney in Clearwater who represented Lonsdale in 2006, said he was "deeply saddened'' by the news of his death.

"He was a pretty energetic and driven individual,'' Lirot said. "He was intelligent, and I thought he had a firm grasp on his constitutional rights. He was an outspoken critic of the Church of Scientology and had every right to do the things he did, I felt.

"I hope there is a very thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death.''

Lonsdale staged one-man demonstrations against the church in downtown Clearwater, Scientology's spiritual headquarters. He erected a sidewalk sign that read "Cult Watch" as he videotaped Scientology buildings, church personnel walking downtown and the security guards who watched him. He aired the footage on Pinellas County's public access television station.

Lirot said he began representing Lonsdale after the church subpoenaed him for a deposition. He said the church wanted to find out whether Lonsdale was connected to the Lisa McPherson Trust. McPherson, a 36-year-old Scientologist, died in 1995 while in the care of church staff members.

Members of the trust, founded by New England millionaire Robert Minton, were prohibited by court order from demonstrating in certain downtown areas where church properties are located, Lirot said.

"It was obvious to everybody he had nothing to do with the trust, and the trust had been disbanded and dissolved many years prior,'' Lirot said. "They just wanted to try to come up with a way to preclude him from exercising his right to picket in downtown Clearwater, and they were unsuccessful in doing that.''

Scientology spokeswoman Pat Harney called Lonsdale's apparent suicide "awful."

"It's just unfortunate anybody feels they have to go to that length. I wouldn't wish that on anybody," Harney said.

Asked about his run-ins with the church, Harney said, "That was so long ago. It seemed like he'd gotten past that.''

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at cmoncada@tampatrib.com or (727) 451-2333.

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