Two Narconon Arrowhead staff members died within 7 months

[ethercat]

Doing some research, I came across this obituary page from Eufaula, Oklahoma: http://www.lakeeufaulanews.com/obituaries.htm

Jean Renault Lafitte   

Jean Renault Lafitte died on Thursday, January 1, 2009, at his home near Eufaula.

 Jean was born in Beaumont, Texas, on July 14, 1956.  A longtime resident of Houston, Texas, Jean graduated from Lamar High School in 1974, and attended the University of Texas and Rice University.  A successful career in post-production film editing in Dallas, Texas and Hollywood, California, combined with his love of computers and technology, let to the opportunity for Jean to design and manage the information technology system for Narconon Arrowhead, where he was employed at the time of his death.  As a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, Jean found great personal satisfaction and fulfillment in his 8 years of service with Narconon. Jean was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Ike and Ruth Berwick Lafitte of Beaumont; his maternal grandparents J.R. and Nelcine McGee of Houston; and his uncles Louis Jean Lafitte of Temple and J.R. McGee, Jr. of Houston.  Jean is survived by his parents, C. Wayne and Nelcine Lafitte of Houston; his sister, Dr. H. Renee Lafitte Bell, her husband Mark and their children, Martin, Leila, Lisa and Miriam all of Davis, California; his brother Marc R. Lafitte, his wife Stacey, and their Lyndsey, Alyson and Taylor all of Houston.  A memorial service was held in celebration of Jean’s life at Narconon Arrowhead.  The family requests that donations be made in Jean’s memory to Narconon Arrowhead, HC 67, Box 5, Canadian, Oklahoma, 74425. Arrangements were made with Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory. 

and

Chester Lee Barton

Chester Lee Barton, 75, of Canadian, OK, passed away at his home on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

 Chester was born on April 27, 1933, at Arkansas City, Kansas.  The son of Walter and Hazel Barton, he grew up in the Arkansas City area and graduated from the Arkansas City High School.  He was married to Dolores Harloff on November 11, 1952. To this union four children were born.  He was later married to Ada Frances (Fields) Shirley on February 15, 1991, at Miami, OK.  They have been residence of the Canadian community for the past 10 years, living in the Arrowhead Estates.  Chester was the kitchen manager at NARCONON for the past 9 years.  The Bartons have been very involved in helping others for many years.  He has played Santa Clause for the past 25 years and has taken his donations to help others.  Along with helping others he has won many cooking awards and contest. He has been involved in many different organizations such as:  Arrowhead Estates Volunteer Fire Department, a lay minister with the United Methodist Church, an active member of the Canadian United Methodist Church, a member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion and a member of the Moose Lodge.  Survivors include:  His wife of the home; Five Sons; Jeff & Julie Barton of Antioch, IL,  Mike &  Connie Barton of Manchester, NH, Doug Barton of Park City, IL, Robert & Melissa Shirley of Arkansas City, KS, and Jerry Staab of Hayes, KS;  Three Daughters, Patty & Patrick McKernan of Steamwood, IL, Shiela & Frank Hughes of Arkansas City, KS, Debra Shirley of Arkansas City, KS; One Brother Mike Barton of Braman, OK, 13 Grandchildren, One Great Grandson, Other relatives and many friends.

I thought it was interesting that both were affiliated with Narconon Arrowhead and had died so close together in time, but I have found nothing to imply that Narconon was responsible in any way for the deaths.  Condolences to any who knew them.

[Stutroup]

I'm not necessarily suggesting deep digging on this, but perhaps the autopsy report would reveal some things.  If they had both been employed there AND had both (I can't assume the kitchen manager would follow Sci's garbage) partaken of the "tech," then there may be some link to Narconon/Scientology and at least some complications contributing to their deaths.

[ethercat]

Later in 2009, there was a "boil water advisory" in the area, due to E. coli being found in the water supply: http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,1769.0.html

The first article says: "Only water service within the rehabilitation center's property was affected." 

I don't know if it's related or not, if the E. coli may have been present before it was detected, but it's something to consider.

[mefree]

I'm not necessarily suggesting deep digging on this, but perhaps the autopsy report would reveal some things.  If they had both been employed there AND had both (I can't assume the kitchen manager would follow Sci's garbage) partaken of the "tech," then there may be some link to Narconon/Scientology and at least some complications contributing to their deaths.

Well, one of these fellows was 75 years of age. That being said, I couldn't help but think about the information about cancer and suicide within Scientology found here:

http://forums.whyweprotest.net/291-scientology-discussion/solo-nots-auditors-data-total-numbers-cancer-suicides-62946/

Their deaths may simply (and sadly) due to lack of medical attention. This is pure speculation, of course.

[Mary_McConnell]

JEAN LAFITTE Died Jan. 1, 2009


Editor Jean Lafitte died at age 52. Ms. Lafitte did post-production editing in Hollywood and Dallas. He was also a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor for Narconon. Mr. Lafitte's credits include "Playboy: 21 Playmates Centerfold Collection" and the TV series "Space: Above and Beyond."
http://www.einsiders.com/january-2009/hollywood-obituaries/january-2009-hollywood-obituaries-by-rusty-white.html

[Mary_McConnell]

Doing some research, I came across this obituary page from Eufaula, Oklahoma: http://www.lakeeufaulanews.com/obituaries.htm

Jean Renault Lafitte   

Jean Renault Lafitte died on Thursday, January 1, 2009, at his home near Eufaula.

 Jean was born in Beaumont, Texas, on July 14, 1956.  A longtime resident of Houston, Texas, Jean graduated from Lamar High School in 1974, and attended the University of Texas and Rice University.  A successful career in post-production film editing in Dallas, Texas and Hollywood, California, combined with his love of computers and technology, let to the opportunity for Jean to design and manage the information technology system for Narconon Arrowhead, where he was employed at the time of his death.  As a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, Jean found great personal satisfaction and fulfillment in his 8 years of service with Narconon. Jean was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Ike and Ruth Berwick Lafitte of Beaumont; his maternal grandparents J.R. and Nelcine McGee of Houston; and his uncles Louis Jean Lafitte of Temple and J.R. McGee, Jr. of Houston.  Jean is survived by his parents, C. Wayne and Nelcine Lafitte of Houston; his sister, Dr. H. Renee Lafitte Bell, her husband Mark and their children, Martin, Leila, Lisa and Miriam all of Davis, California; his brother Marc R. Lafitte, his wife Stacey, and their Lyndsey, Alyson and Taylor all of Houston.  A memorial service was held in celebration of Jean’s life at Narconon Arrowhead.  The family requests that donations be made in Jean’s memory to Narconon Arrowhead, HC 67, Box 5, Canadian, Oklahoma, 74425. Arrangements were made with Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory. 

.....

Sad news:

I have been informed that Narconon staff member Mr. Jean Renault Lafitte, age 52 in 2009, committed suicide. That his body was found by Narconon staff member Derry Hallmark, and that he died of a single gunshot wound to the head. I will be following up on this and will post updates.

R.I.P. Jean.

[Mary_McConnell]

CommunicatorIC posted over at ESMB about Tony Ortega's segment on Narconon today. providing an excerpt
http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?37393-Narconon-uses-voice-of-quot-ex-quot-addict-staffer-who-committed-suicide-to-tout-program
 
Narconon uses voice of "ex"-addict staffer who committed suicide to tout program.

From Tony Ortega:

With “Ideal Narconons” on the way, Narconon Arrowhead circles the drain
In 2001, the flagship facility of Scientology’s drug rehab network, Narconon Arrowhead, recorded a Public Service Announcement. It’s online here, and about halfway through, you can hear a man say, “it was the closest thing to walking death I could imagine” among the other voices talking about the negative effects of drug abuse.

The man who uttered those words was a Narconon Arrowhead employee named Jean Lafitte..... read on for more
http://tonyortega.org/2014/10/22/tom-cruise-and-his-freedom-medal-of-valor-wheres-the-tabloid-press/

[mefree]

It's not enough that Narconon manages to get free advertising through community event bulletin boards, PSA's, or by luring the occasional unsuspecting TV-journalist into an interview with a client.

The use of the voice of a former staffer who committed suicide was probably another "cost-saving" measure.

 

[Mary_McConnell]

I agree. Nothing surprises me anymore with Narconon. Nothing.

[10oriocookies]

I was appalled that they used Jean's voice in that PSA.  I knew Jean very well.  His suicide could have been prevented if he could have gotten some real counseling for the issues that lead up to him taking his own life.  When is this shit going to stop Narconon?

[Mary_McConnell]

I was appalled that they used Jean's voice in that PSA.  I knew Jean very well.  His suicide could have been prevented if he could have gotten some real counseling for the issues that lead up to him taking his own life.  When is this shit going to stop Narconon?

So true. My condolences, 10oriocookies. Hopefully Narconon will soon be wiped off the map. It seems to be headed that way. The internet and lawsuits are killing them. And Scientology.