From the January 9, 2006, issue of the National Enquirer:

==========

COPS PROBE TOM CRUISE GURU

Cancer patient dies after Scientologist allegedly promises to cure him with "magic potions"

By Doug Shields

Tom Cruise's one-time medical guru--a "Church" of Scientology member--is at the center of a police probe into the death of a cancer patient. And the blow to Tom comes as shocking claims about his Scientology emerge for the first time.

Alternative medicine consultant Feline Butcher, 53, is being investigated by the Los Angeles Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force, which investigates illegal medical practices, following the death of photographer Clive McLean after he was treated by her.

She allegedly convinced McLean to shun chemotherapy in favor of magic drops, potions, vitamins and a miracle-cure medicine.

L.A.-based Butcher, who has reportedly counted Nicole Kidman, Lisa Marie Presley and Mena Suvari among her celebrity clients, allegedly then referred McLean to physician David Chua, who was not licensed to practice in California, say cops.

McLean, a veteran staff photographer for Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt, died soon afterward at the age of 60. His widow Erica told a newspaper: "We didn't at first know [Butcher] was a Scientologist, but then we heard that she made her employees take courses in it. She said Chua could cure my husband with these magic drops, potions and vitamin drips--and a silly machine."

Erica, who lives in Sunland, California, added: "We spent $150,000 on all this, and my husband's health was not improving. They told him not to take chemotherapy so we didn't."

The Task Force, who work with the police, has presented the case to the L.A. city attorney after an investigation following McLean's death in March 2005. If Butcher is indicted she could face trial for fraud, grand theft and the unlicensed practice of medicine. Canadian Chua could also be charged.

Said Sgt. Steve Opferman: "We are looking into the fact that she was referring people to this guy who was coming down from Canada claiming to have cures for cancer patients. If you are going to do that and charge huge sums, you need a license.

Butcher didn't return calls for a comment but has previously said the charges are untrue.

The latest blow for Cruise's controversial "church"--for which he is now the public figurehead--comes as amazing details of his induction into the "religion" were revealed.

Ex-Scientologists have told the Los Angeles Times how Cruise, 43, was treated "like a king" when he studied at the "church"'s international nerve center in Gilman Hot Springs, with an around-the-clock staff preparing his meals and doing his laundry. The report also said David Miscavige, the "church"'s highest-ranking member, was instrumental in helping Cruise woo his second wife Nicole Kidman soon after they first met around 15 years ago.

According to the Times, he is said to have once ordered "church" workers to toil day and night to plant a meadow of wildflowers so Cruise could run through the field arm in arm with the Australian actress.

When the flowers bloomed Miscavige, 45, is reported to have demanded the field be re-planted because he wasn't happy with it.

Mike Rinder, director of the "Church" of Scientology International, said Cruise did stay at the center for several weeks in 1990 but denied that he received special treatment.

Cruise's lawyer Bert Fields said: "I am not aware of any link between Tom and this Feline Butcher." But he admitted Cruise studied at the "church"'s center, adding: "Nothing special was done for him."

Both Fields and Rinder denied that fields of wildflowers were planted for the star.

shields@nationalenquirer.com

Go Back