Scientology whistleblower dies after health battle

A former senior Scientologist who became one of the Church’s fiercest critics has died, his family revealed – after a battle with cancer

Mike Rinder, 69, was a year and a half removed from his diagnosis with late-stage esophageal cancer, and shortly after shared a photo with his wife and two children over Christmas.

In the snap, a smiling Rinder looks very different from the man seen next to his wife Christie Collbran in photos taken just a few months ago, where the Australian-born defector still sported a full head of hair and a healthy complexion .

In the photo taken on December 25, he was bald and appeared to be losing his hair in just three months as he struggled with his diagnosis.

In a heartfelt post showing the family on brighter days, Collbran paid tribute to the father-of-two who co-hosted the Emmy-winning docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath with Leah Remini.

When she wrote it on Sunday, she did not confirm whether it was cancer that took her loved one’s life and revealed the day of death.

“Rest in peace, my dear, beautiful husband,” the update began, before remembering one of Scientologists’ most high-profile detractors.

He had been part of the agency’s secretive Sea Org for more than 30 years before realizing he had been brainwashed after watching and thinking about investigative journalist John Sweeney’s 2007 film Scientology and Me.

Mike Rinder, 69, was a year and a half removed from his diagnosis with late-stage esophageal cancer, and shortly after shared a photo with his wife and two children over Christmas. He is seen here with fellow Scientologist and whistleblower Leah Remini in 2018

In the snap, a smiling Rinder looks very different from the man seen next to his wife Christie Collbran in photos taken just a few months ago, where the Australian-born defector still sported a full head of hair and a healthy glow .

In the snap, a smiling Rinder looks very different from the man seen next to his wife Christie Collbran in photos taken just a few months ago, where the Australian-born defector still sported a full head of hair and a healthy glow .

“Rest in peace my sweet, beautiful husband,” Collbran wrote, revealing the news to the world.

“I speak for so many when I say that the sadness and pain we feel reflect the depth of our unwavering love for you,” she continued.

“Your courage, bravery and integrity are unparalleled and will inspire us forever. You have been the pillar of stability in our lives and have filled our days with your strength, wisdom, love, laughter and devotion.

‘The world will remember you.’

The message also included Rinder’s last words, which Collbran proudly told the audience.

“If you are reading this, I have shaken off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes,” the closing message read.

‘My blog site remains an archive of more than 4,000 messages and 300,000 comments.

“It has been a labor of love and passion, allowing me to express my opinions and offer my perspective without outside filters.”

Rinder and his wife of 12 years, Christie Collbran, are seen here on a date night in September. She remembered her loved one in a heartfelt post on Sunday

Rinder and his wife of 12 years, Christie Collbran, are seen here on a date night in September. She remembered her loved one in a heartfelt post on Sunday

Rinder and Remini are seen at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2017, after wrapping a docuseries that chronicled their and others' experiences in the church

Rinder and Remini are seen at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2017, after wrapping a docuseries that chronicled their and others’ experiences in the church

The two then started a podcast, which was canceled in 2018 after two seasons. Five years later, Ridner was diagnosed with cancer

The two then started a podcast, which was canceled in 2018 after two seasons. Five years later, Ridner was diagnosed with cancer

There you will find Rinder’s well-known criticism of religion, which his parents involved him in as a child.

“My only real regret,” he added, “is that I did not achieve what I said I wanted – to end the abuses of Scientology… [my son] Jack grow up.”

While speaking out against other whistleblowers such as Remini and the daughter of current chief David Miscavige, he stated:

“If you fight in any way to end these abuses, let the flag fly – never give up.”

He then referred to his departure from the controversial organization, considering himself lucky because he was “living two lives in one life.”

“The second,” he described as “the best years anyone could wish for,” thanks to the time he spent “with all of you and my new family.”

Rinder and Collbran, a former member who also fled Sea Org at the time, married in 2013.

At nearly 60, he spent nearly half his life as Scientology’s international spokesperson and head of the Office of Special Affairs, while also serving on the Board of Directors of the Church of Scientology International.

Rinder was part of the agency's secretive Sea Org for decades before defecting in 2007

Rinder was part of the agency’s secretive Sea Org for decades before defecting in 2007

He converted after watching journalist John Sweeney's film Scientology and Me in 2007 and was one of the religion's fiercest critics.

He converted after watching journalist John Sweeney’s 2007 film Scientology and Me and was one of the religion’s fiercest critics.

Like Jenna Miscavige (pictured), the 40-year-old niece of leader David Miscavige, he worked for decades in Scientology's Sea Org. Afterwards, both started posting and promoting content critical of the religion

Like Jenna Miscavige (pictured), the 40-year-old niece of leader David Miscavige, he worked for decades in Scientology’s Sea Org. Afterwards, both started posting and promoting content critical of the religion

At the age of 52, he renounced religion and fled two years removed from the departure of perhaps the only defector more prominent than him.

Jenna Miscavige, David’s 40-year-old niece, fled the Sea Org in 2005, and today, as Rinder has done on his blog for almost a decade, regularly posts accounts of her life in – and after surviving – the most powerful sect.

Today she lives in California with her two children. Like Rinder and his wife, the couple met at church before moving away together in 2005.

The Church of Scientology “has done its utmost to make life hell for us,” she said in a video posted two months ago, claiming her marriage fell apart because of mistrust sown by the web of spies . She claims the organization was incorporated into her life after she left.

The church denied all its allegations in a statement to DailyMail.com.

In 2015 and 2016, Rinder hosted Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E, alongside the King of Queens star.

Over the course of three seasons, the pair delved into their own and other former members’ experiences in the church, claiming, like Miscavige, that they were harassed after publicly speaking out and breaking up.

After the show ended, Remini and Rinder continued their collaboration with a podcast Scientology: Fair Game, which launched in 2020.

The religion currently counts stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta as members.