Wrongful Death
Representation of Estate in Wrongful Death Case Against Church of Scientology
Ongoing – Podhurst Orseck represents the Estate of Whitney Mills, through her personal representative Leila Mills, in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Church of Scientology and others. The suit alleges that after the Church assumed 24/7 duty of care for Whitney Mills, they encouraged her to “drop the body,” a Scientology euphemism for suicide, after she was mistakenly led to believe she was terminally ill.
Ms. Mills had been misdiagnosed with Lyme disease and a cancerous ovarian cyst, later found to be benign, by Dr. David Minkoff, a Scientologist and alternative medicine provider. Podhurst Orseck is pursuing related medical malpractice claims against Dr. Minkoff and his clinic. The case, which has drawn national media attention due to its similarity to a prior high-profile Scientology wrongful death suit, is set for a third mediation in August 2025. Motions to dismiss brought by Dr. Minkoff have already been denied, and litigation is actively ongoing. The Estate seeks damages in excess of $10 million.