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The eerie truth about ‘Scientology city’ where Julian McMahon died: It looks like a resort – but I felt watched from the day I arrived. Then, Kirstie Alley sent me a chilling message…

BBG News

Just a few days ago, I penned a piece questioning the circumstances surrounding the death of actor Julian McMahon in Clearwater, Florida, which seems unusual given his widely known life in LA.

It’s worth noting that Clearwater is primarily recognized for a single aspect: serving as the worldwide headquarters of the Church of Scientology.

Was McMahon, who died from cancer, a Scientologist? He never said so.

Why did the famed actor, known for roles in Nip/Tuck and Charmed, and the son of a past Australian prime minister, receive a simple cremation service at a dreary crematorium located on an industrial area?

In my opinion, these questions seemed reasonable. However, it appears that Scientology is not fond of journalists probing their operations. Consequently, two displeased emails, one from a representative of the church and another from a resident of Clearwater, landed in my email shortly after the article was published.

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The Clearwater resident suggested I delve deeper into the city’s history by doing thorough research, instead of just depending on online findings.

Well, allow me to correct you on that point.

For several extended periods, I’ve been documenting the aspects of Scientology situated in Clearwater, a place that serves as a temporary residence for celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta during certain seasons.

Apart from John, both his spouse Kelly Preston and his longtime friend and acting partner, the late Kirstie Alley, had previously resided in the same house. Tragically, they both passed away due to cancer, at the ages of 57 and 71 respectively.

During approximately 2017-2018, my profession found me as a journalist stationed in Los Angeles, and I visited the secluded community of Florida on multiple occasions.

To avoid confusion, it’s important to note that Clearwater City is distinct from the picturesque beach town of Clearwater Beach known for its pristine white sand, abundant sunshine, cocktails, and fried foods. Instead, Clearwater City offers a unique experience all its own.

Julian passed away at Morton Plant Hospital in the city, and subsequently underwent cremation in a low-key facility called Palm State Crematory, located on the city’s periphery. This unassuming warehouse served as the venue for his cremation, without any funeral services being held.

In the city center, it’s primarily Scientology, a religious organization, that holds most of the property ownership. They have amassed a significant wealth from their extensive real estate investments over the years.

It’s an eerily quiet place.

It’s hard to imagine why Julian, who grew up in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs, the son of former Prime Minister William McMahon and socialite Lady Sonia, would find himself in such a situation.

Unless, of course, he had links to the church that he did not publicly disclose. 

After visiting Clearwater, I often had the feeling of being observed, though I couldn’t quite determine who it might have been.

The majority of unnamed structures have their shades drawn, but every now and then, you might catch a glimpse of a window being raised slightly as someone within looks out cautiously.

In the meantime, individuals wearing waistcoats, who belong to Sea Org – a group resembling a military elite inside Scientology – move swiftly between buildings. However, their reason for doing so remains unknown, as only the church itself seems to be aware.

I was also warned to never conduct conversations outside of my car. 

During a secret visit to the town known as Scientology City, I was informed by locals who aren’t part of the Church, that if they spoke negatively about the church, they would observe their neighbors (who attend the church) directing their surveillance cameras towards their homes.

Additionally, it’s commonly understood that the church often employs threatening methods towards individuals who criticize or expose the organization in anything short of an overly favorable manner.

I was a target of this behaviour.

In 2017, I visited the town to cover Kirstie Alley’s story. Sadly, she passed away in 2020 following a hidden battle with colon cancer. Much like McMahon, who fought his own cancer privately, this reminds me of the secret nature of their health struggles.

At the time, Kirstie’s life was endlessly fascinating.

I was curious if she remained deeply committed to Scientology and if she practiced the weight-loss recommendations she promoted through her Organic Liaison program, which faced claims of being a fraud. (Ultimately, Alley agreed to pay $130,000 to a dissatisfied customer who argued that the program failed to deliver results, as reported by The National Enquirer. Today, Organic Liaison no longer exists.)

After finishing my investigation, I chose to reveal myself and hand over my business card to the proprietor of a nearby pizzeria.

Since the storefront didn’t conform to the common pastel-and-white design of Scientology buildings, I presumed I might stumble upon one of the rare non-Scientologists in Clearwater, potentially conduct an interview with them, or even learn about Tom Cruise’s upcoming visit.

Regrettably, he clearly paled and admitted he wasn’t part of the congregation, yet made it clear he held no grudges against them. It’s understandable under the circumstances.

I said goodbye to him and concluded that my tale had reached its end. Afterward, I embarked on the journey to Tampa, as the prospect of a refreshing beer by the beach following a job well accomplished called out to me.

It was on that drive that things got… interesting.

Shortly after dropping off my business card at the pizzeria, I found a sleek white Lexus SUV with darkened windows following closely in my rearview mirror.

Following a 30-minute ride, it trailed me into the parking area of Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Eatery, a waterfront establishment situated on Old Tampa Bay. There, I purchased a beer, settled myself in an Adirondack chair with my feet dipped in the water, and before I knew it, the Lexus slipped from my thoughts entirely.

But not for long.

In just a few moments, I found myself mentioned in a tweet by Kirstie Alley – subtly acknowledging my Australian origin, my stay in Clearwater, and the fact that I was then relaxing by the shoreline.

Hello Karleighsmith87, I’m thrilled to welcome you to Clearwater! This place is known for its top-notch beaches in our nation. Luckily, you won’t encounter any kangaroos here, but there are plenty of friendly manatees instead! Enjoy your stay!

In a simpler, more conversational manner, I’d say: “I got the sense she was hinting, ‘We recognize you and your location,’ which made me feel uneasy, especially considering the Lexus that followed me.

It seems they were curious about my activities within their neighborhood. However, unbeknownst to them, I had been there for a week previously and had settled my affairs by then.

Once I had completed drinking my beer, I got behind the wheel, once more followed by a Lexus, and headed towards my hotel for the night.

The next morning, as I returned to my parked car, the Lexus was still there.

A substantial pool of dew accumulated beneath it, suggesting that it had been there through the entire night while the air conditioner protected the inside – or the inhabitants inside – from the humid Florida climate.

Instead of being let down, since there were no further investigations involving Scientology, I quickly traveled by car from my hotel to Tampa Bay Airport, with a Lexus following me all the way to the car rental area. Afterward, I happily boarded a plane and returned to Los Angeles.

In a few weeks, articles about Kirstie that I had written were published in The National Enquirer and its related publication, The Globe.

A year on, I found myself back in the vibrant cityscape of Clearwater, but this visit was unlike any other. This time, my focus was none other than the illustrious Tom Cruise, whose majestic penthouse dominates the skyline. For an enticing glimpse into his life, be sure to check out the article here.

While investigating Tom’s property investments, I uncovered a more profound understanding of how the vibrant city of Clearwater started to be dominated by the church following its aggressive expansion in 1975.

In the heart of downtown, standing imposingly, is the Flag Building, a colossal structure worth $156 million. This edifice serves as the worldwide spiritual headquarters for the church, and it’s the largest building in Clearwater, dominating an entire city block.

In a 2007 Scientology publication, it was mentioned that Kirstie Alley donated $250,000 towards a construction project in order to be recognized as one of its founders.

Inside, followers can participate in a ‘purification rundown detoxification program’.

At the summit of a fifteen-story edifice, a cross made from bronze, symbolizing Scientology, stands proudly. This emblem can be seen from afar, serving as a constant reminder to the community that within this locality, the church holds supremacy.

As if anyone could forget.

On the other side of the street stands the Fort Harrison Hotel, reachable by a footbridge from Flag, where the church’s prominent leaders and famous devotees often stay.

I observed Connor Cruise spending time with the parking attendant while they both waited for his vividly yellow Ford Mustang to be handed back to him.

2019 uncovered an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times showing that the church, along with its congregation and associated businesses, now own approximately 185 properties spanning over 101 acres in the city center, with more than half of these properties purchased since January 2017.

In her article, Tracey McManus detailed how a dispute between the church and the city council may have sparked the recent land seizure.

At that moment, the church lawyer spoke out against the Tampa Bay Times, stating they had a predetermined bias towards portraying every Scientology story negatively and unfavorably, further explaining: “It’s not unusual for Scientologists to wish to reside in the same city as the international spiritual headquarters of their faith. They simply seek to live peacefully in a place that holds special significance for them.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m thrilled to have shared the insightful details about the numerous properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area, which, it seems, was previously unknown to the Church. They appear genuinely pleased with this newfound knowledge.

Indeed, considering the circumstances, it’s understandable how the unexpected death of a renowned Australian figure like McMahon, who had no known connections to Scientology or Florida, in Clearwater following a hidden battle with cancer, would spark intrigue within us.

Regardless of the passage of time, having moved back to Sydney and with Clearwater being 10,000 miles distant, it’s a location that remains deeply etched in my memory for eternity.

As an ardent fan, I reached out to a representative from Scientology regarding the media’s portrayal of McMahon’s demise in Clearwater. They swiftly labelled it as ‘sensationalist’ and emphasized that any speculations linking Mr. McMahon to their Church, solely due to his final moments being there, were unfounded and misleading.

The spokesperson further explained, ‘Making such an assumption is just as unreliable as guessing someone’s faith based on their demise in Clearwater, a city renowned for its religious sites but also attracting countless tourists from various parts of the globe for numerous non-religious reasons.’

‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr McMahon’s family during this difficult time.’

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2025-07-19 19:35

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