But on Thanksgiving a couple of weeks later, McPherson was not at home. Instead, she was at the Fort Harrison Hotel, Scientology's world spiritual headquarters. Seventeen days later, she was dead. Tampa attorney Robert Johnson who represents Scientology said church members initially suspected meningitis and only later learned that was not the case. He said they now believe McPherson had a strep infection.
Authorities have no indication of that.
Police have questions about McPherson's death. Detectives wanted to talk with Scientology employees Suzanne Schnuremberger, Ildiko Cannovas and Laura Arrunada, but were told by the church that all three had left the country. They are still being sought for questioning. Johnson said those people no longer work for the church and Scientology doesn't know how to locate them. Clearwater Police Detective Sgt.