How did David Miscavige's mother-in-law die? Mary Florence 'Flo' Barnett shot FOUR times in 'suicide'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The death of Mary Florence "Flo" Barnett, the mother-in-law of David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology, has long been shrouded in mystery and speculation. On September 8, 1985, Flo Barnett was found dead in Carson, Los Angeles, California, with four gunshot wounds — three to her chest and one in the head. The Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner eventually concluded that the death was a suicide. However, given that Flo had multiple bullet wounds and all from a long rifle, it is difficult to comprehend how a 52-year-old woman could have carried out such a bizarre act of 'suicide.'
According to Village Voice, not much was revealed about the case after the death until 1991 when Time published an exposé on Scientology that sparked a legal proceeding to examine the church's rules and procedures. A former senior church official allegedly claimed that Flo had joined a faction that disagreed with Miscavige. Another former church member testified during the same trial, confirming that Flo was a member of the split group when she passed away.
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Flo Barnett was born in Missouri on June 7, 1933. Clarisse, Michele, Camille, and Metarie were her four daughters with her first husband, Maurice Elliott Barnett. All of the girls were born in Texas' Dallas County. James "Jim" P Miller was Flo's second husband, and the two of them resided in California. Flo Barnett and her husband were both devout members of the Church of Scientology, and they raised their children in the faith, including Michele "Shelly" Diane, who went on to become David Miscavige's wife in 1982. However, Flo's relationship with the Miscaviges was reportedly strained. Several witnesses also stated that David Miscavige and Shelly Miscavige disapproved of Flo.
David Miscavige reportedly said at the time of Flo’s passing, “The bitch got what she deserved.” In court, David Miscavige however strongly denied any involvement in the suicide. For years, the Church of Scientology has drawn criticism for its eerily strange set of beliefs. Scientology, a cult-like group founded by science fiction author L Ron Hubbard, asserts that we are all immortal "thetans" who have come to earth from other planets. David Miscavige, took over the group after Hubbard passed away in 1987. Tom Cruise and Miscavige are reportedly good friends, and Miscavige was the actor's best man at his wedding to Katie Holmes.
Meanwhile, Shelly, Miscavige's wife and Flo's daughter, was also once a well-known figure in the Scientology world, especially after their 1982 wedding. But Shelly reportedly went missing in 2007 and was last seen in public in August of that year when she attended her father's burial. She hasn't been seen since. Many believe she is being detained at "The Hole," a prison run by the Church east of Los Angeles, intended to eliminate dissent.
According to leaked allegations, "The Hole" is an indoctrination facility where members are subjected to a barrage of physical and psychological abuse in order to brainwash them. However, the facility is not acknowledged by the Church. Despite the official ruling, the bizarre and mysterious circumstances of Flo Barnett's death continue to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories. Some have called for further investigation into the case, but it remains unclear whether any new information will ever come to light.