Mike Rinder, Scientology whistleblower and “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath ”cohost“, ”dies at 69

Mike Rinder, a former high-ranking Scientology executive who became a vocal critic of the church and cohosted the Emmy-winning docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath with Leah Remini, has died. He was 69.

Rinder's wife of more than a decade, Christie King Collbran, announced the news Sunday in an emotional Instagram post. She did not disclose his cause of death, but in June 2023, Rinder revealed that he had been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer.

"Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband," she wrote. "I speak for so many when I say the sadness and pain we feel mirror the depth of our unwavering love for you. Your courage, bravery, and integrity are unmatched and will forever inspire us. You have been the pillar of stability in our lives, filling our days with your strength, wisdom, love, laughter, and devotion. The world will remember you."

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Her post also contained a final message from Rinder, which he provided to Collbran before his death.

"If you are reading this, I have shuffled off this mortal coil in accordance with the immutable law that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes," he said in the message. "My blog site will remain as an archive of more than 4,000 posts and 300,000 comments. It has been a labor of love and passion which has allowed me to speak my mind and offer my perspective with no outside filters."

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Referencing his 2007 departure from the Church of Scientology, Rinder wrote, "I have been lucky — living two lives in one lifetime. The second one the most wonderful years anyone could wish for with all of you and my new family!"

He continued, "My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection, and seeing [my son] Jack into adulthood. If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses please keep the flag flying — never give up. And please, if you are able in some way, help Christie and the boys to move forward into the next chapter of their lives."

Rinder encouraged fans to contribute to his son's college fund in lieu of sending flowers. "Let the flowers grow and look to the future," he concluded. "With that said, I rest in peace."

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Born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1955, Rinder was raised as a Scientologist from early childhood. His parents began taking him to their local Scientology center when he was 5 years old, and after high school he signed a "billion-year" contract with the organization admitting him into the elite inner circle. Rinder went on to serve as Scientology’s international spokesperson and the head of its Office of Special Affairs, and he was a member of the Board of Directors of Church of Scientology International until his departure.

In 2007, at 52 years old, Rinder renounced Scientology, becoming a prominent whistleblower against the organization's abuses. He was featured in the Emmy- and Peabody-winning HBO documentary Going Clear in 2015, and the following year he teamed up with King of Queens star Remini to host Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E. The docuseries, which ran three seasons, delved into the experiences of Remini, Rinder, and other former members who left the church and claim they were harassed after publicly speaking out against the organization. Remini and Rinder continued their partnership with their podcast, Scientology: Fair Game, which they launched in 2020.

Rinder told Entertainment Weekly that the podcast would go “further, deeper, harder, and stronger” than Aftermath, which the cohosts said was limited by "certain [network] rules that dictate to us what we can and can't say, or what we can and can't do."

Rinder further chronicled his story in his 2022 memoir, A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

Remini has yet to comment publicly on Rinder's death, but in December she wrote on Instagram about paying him a visit in the hospital. "Spreading a little holiday cheer in Florida with my @rindermike and his beautiful family," she captioned a photo of her and Rinder in his hospital bed. "As many of you know, Mike has been courageously battling cancer, and your messages of love truly lift his spirits. Please keep Mike, Christie, and their two boys in your prayers. Surround them with all the love and strength they so deserve."

Representatives for Remini did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly's request for comment.

Rinder is survived by Collbran and their two sons, Shane and Jack. He also shares two children — daughter Taryn and son Benjamin — with his first wife, Cathy.

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