Fort Harrison Guest List; Summaries - AMC Employees Joan Stevens, Barbro Wennberg, Gilda Burton, Margaret Kern, Brian Rakestraw

Date:April 11, 1997
Pages:8

SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FLO520300/Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Location 644 Pierce Street Orig Incident Date 12/6/95
Victim Lisa McPherson VI Prosecute Yes X No
Investigator Jorge Carrasquillo
Previous Status Active
Subject None
Impound Inventory None

NARRATIVE:

Wednesday, April 9, 1997

The Church of Scientology provided the names of 63 individuals along with their pertinent information who stayed at the Cabanas, at 210 S. FT. Harrison Av., from October of 1995 until December 5, 1995. After scrutinizing the list and taking the following criteria's into consideration:

1. Location of room in relation to Lisa McPherson's room.

2. Time of stay, between November 18, 1995 and December 5, 1995.

The list was reduced to 13 individuals.

1. Alan Lake Rm # 280 Nov. 18, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Clearwater, Fl. 34625

H# XXX-XXX-XXXX


2. Judith Schwyter Rm#270 Nov. 30, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Clearwater, Fl. 34630

H# XXX-XXX-XXXX


3. Joe Kraus Rm#180 Nov. 1, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Burbank, Ca. 91502

W# 818-XXX-XXXX

4. Brenda Jones Rm. # 177 Nov. 2. 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Eatonton, Ga. 31024

H# 706-XXX-XXXX

W# 706-XXX-XXXX

5. Liliane Eckharter. Rm. 276 Nov. 2, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Vienna, Austria 1180

H# 431-XXX-XXXX

W# 431-XXX-XXXX

6. Muriel Lore Rm. # 266 Nov. 8, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Nice, France 06200

H# 939-XXX-XXXX

W# 938-XXX-XXXX

7. Jim Norton Rm. 278 Nov. 11, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Santa Ana, Ca. 92705

H# 714-XXX-XXXX

W# 714-XXX-XXXX

8. Tony Hitchman Rm. # 274 Nov. 12, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Santa Barbara,, Ca. 93110

# 805-XXX-XXXX

9. Mary Ann Broughn Rm. # 270 Nov. 13, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Chateauguay, QC, Canada J6k3a6

H# 514-XXX-XXXX

10. Paul \ Susan Ortner Rm. # 275 Nov. 20, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Belvedere Tiburon, Ca. 94920-XXXX

H# 415-XXX-XXXX

W# 415-XXX-XXXX

11. Khonda Andrews Rm. # 271 Nov. 23, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Jackson, Mo. 63755

H# 573-XXX-XXXX

W# 573-XXX-XXXX

12. Jim Meskimen Rm. # 278 Nov. 24, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Tarzana, Ca. 91356

# 818-XXX-XXXX

13. Sue Swank Rm. # 268 Dec. 5, 1995

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Bradford, Oh. 45308

# 513-XXX-XXXX

On April 9, 1997, at 1645 hours Det. James Little and I attempted to make contact with Alan Lake at his residence with negative results. I inquired at the office and learned that the individual residing at apartment #805 was a Jeffery George Lake. At approximately 1735 hours on April 9, 1997 Det. Little and I attempted to contact Sue Swank at her residence with negative results.

At 0700 hours on April 10, 1997, 1 once again attempted to contact Lake at his residence with negative results.


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Thursday, April 10, 1997

Two Investigative depositions were conducted on this date at the State Attorney's Office on 49th Street, from 0900 hours until 1200 hours. Present were Assistant State Attorney Mark McGarry, FDLE Agent Lee Strope, and Myself.

Three employees from AMC Publishing were interviewed at CPD by Det. James Little and myself from 1400 hours until 1600 hours. The individuals were interviewed separately in the presence of their Attorney Ronald Cacciatore.

The following individuals were deposed:

Joan Stevens, W/F, DOB 6/XX/48

Originally from Virginia has been in Clearwater since 1993.

Background: Became involved with the Church of Scientology in 1975 while in New York. Has worked as a Staff person since 1976, Also jointed Sea Org. In 1976. In 1995 she was employed as Staff Personnel handling new staff, training, and courses. Stevens likens the position as that of a personnel Director. Stevens has no medical background.

Involvement with Lisa McPherson: Stevens was assigned to relieve Leslie Woodcraft her senior on November 23, 1995 at approximately 2200 hours. Stevens said when she arrived at Lisa's room Leslie Woodcraft and Janis Johnson were in the room. Stevens stated she was involved in only one watch with Lisa, from 2200 hours on November 23, 1995 until 1000 hours on November 24, 1995. Stevens said the door to


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Lisa's room was not locked, However Sam Ghiarna was posted outside of Lisa's room as security. Stevens said Lisa tried to leave once and was stopped by Security and Stevens. Stevens said Lisa was very active during her watch. When asked to explain active Stevens gave the following example.

During the watch Stevens stated Lisa struck her in the face at least six to eight times and attempted to hit her with a potted plant. Steven stated at one point in time security person Paul Kellerhaus had to restrain Lisa for approximately 45 minutes. Stevens stated during her watch their were different people coming and going out of Lisa's room. Stevens stated she wrote a report regarding her watch, however she forwarded the report to Lisa's Confessional Folder.

The deposition with Joan Stevens was recorded by a court reporter. See transcript for further details.

Barbro Wennberg, W/F, DOB 11/XX/56

Originally from Stockholm, Sweden moved to Clearwater in 1984.

Background: Has been a member of the Church of Scientology since 1979. Became Staff in 1984 currently is Director of Inspection and Reports. Wennberg said she has a medical background as a dental assistant. Leslie Woodcraft was her senior in 1995.

Involvement with Lisa McPherson: Wennberg was assigned to watch Lisa McPherson on two separate occasions. On November 24, 1995 Wennberg watched Lisa from 0700 hours until 1600 hours. The November 24, 1995 watch was the second watch she was involved with, the first watch was either two or four days early. During both times Wennberg was assigned to watch Lisa, Sam Ghiarna was stationed outside Lisa's door. Wennberg relieved Heather Petzold during the first watch.


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Wennberg said during the first watch Lisa was pacing around, continuously talking, and acting restless. Lisa was not violent during this watch. I asked Wennberg if Lisa had stated I'm feeling better now and I want to go home would she let Lisa go. Wennberg stated no, because Lisa was talking to herself, Wennberg would have to check with security.

During the second watch Wennberg said Lisa was violent. Wennberg said Lisa attempted to hit her and struck Stevens. Wennberg said at one time Lisa was restrained by several individuals possibly Joan Stevens, Paul Kellerhaus, Heather Petzold, and herself. Wennberg said Dr. David Houghton was called by security to check on Lisa. Wennberg said while Lisa was being restrained Dr. Houghton attempted to feed Lisa some sedatives like aspirins and antihistamines. Wennberg wrote a report after the second watch, but doesn't recall writing one after the first watch. The report was directed to Marcus Quirino.

The deposition with BarBro Wennberg was recorded by a court reporter. See transcripts for further details.

The following individuals were interviewed:

Gilda Kay Burton W/F, DOB 2/XX/53, SS# XXX-XX-XXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Clearwater, Fl. 34625
H# XXX-XXX-XXXX

Burton stated she first met Lisa in 1982 at The Church of Scientology in Dallas, Texas. Burton stated she worked with Lisa at AMC Publishing from May of 1991


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

until February 1995. Burton said in either May or June of 1995 when Lisa took the leave of absence from work, she (Lisa) was expressing desires to commit suicide. Burton stated when she went to Texas in 1996 and spoke with Fannie McPherson she wrote a report and forwarded same to Brain Anderson. For additional information see transcript of interview with Gilda Burton.

Margaret Jean Kern W/F, DOB 1/XX/56, SS# XXX-XX-XXXX

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Clearwater, Fl. 34615

H# 813-XXX-XXXX

W# 813-XXX-XXXX

Kern said she was originally from Washington State and has been a Scientologist since 1979. Kern said she had been employed by AMC Publishing since July of 1994. Kern said during the time Lisa was working at AMC Publishing Kern was the cook. Kern said she did not have much interaction with Lisa at work or on a personal level, therefore could not provide much information about Lisa's personal life. Kern's interview was not transcribed, however custody of the tape was given to Sgt. Wayne Andrews.

Brain [sic; Brian] Robert Rakestraw W/M, DOB 7/XX/56, SS# XXX-XX-XXXX

XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX

Clearwater, Fl. 34625

H# 813-XXX-XXXX

Employed: Exectech

13555 Automobile Blvd.,

Clearwater, Fl.

W# 813-XXX-XXXX


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SUPPLEMENT/CONTINUATION

FL0520300/ Clearwater Police Department Report No. 95-29158
Offense Death Investigation Date of Report 4/11/97

Rakestraw said he was employed by AMC Publishing from January 1, 1995 until October 1996 as the Vice President of Sales. Lisa worked indirectly for Rakestraw. For additional information see transcript of interview. Investigation continues.


Ofc. Reporting Det. Jorge Carrasquillo ID No. 630
Case Status Active Date Cleared
Clearance Type Exception Type
1. Arrest

Adult Juvenile

2. Exceptional

3. Unfounded
1. Extradition declined

2. AR of primary offense,

secondary offense,

w/o prosecution
3. Death of Offender

4. V/W refused to cooperate

5. Prosecution declined

6. Juv/No Custody

Ofc. Reviewing                      Date          SAO Info
Sgt. W. C. Andrews [signature]      4-15-97

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