What happened to Mike Rinder? Health issues explored as prominent Scientology whistleblower dies aged 69

Well-known Scientology executive Mike Rinder, 69, has recently died from unknown causes on January 5, 2025. While the circumstances leading to his death are yet to be made official, Mike was battling with advanced esophageal cancer and contracted the disease back in 2023.

Mike's death was announced by his wife Christie King Collbran with a lengthy tribute post shared through Rinder's official Instagram page. The post included a photo where Mike was posing with his wife and two children and the caption reads:

"Rest in peace, my sweet, beautiful husband. 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."

Christie wrote that she is adding Mike Rinder's last word as per his wishes to the post. Rinder said in the statement that his blog site will stay active with all the posts and comments, and continued:

"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! My only real regret is not having achieved what I said I wanted to — ending the abuses of Scientology, especially disconnection and seeing Jack into adulthood."

Mike Rinder requested everyone to help his wife and the children so that they could move on. He even asked people not to send flowers and added:

"Instead contribute to Jack's college fund. Unfortunately this is a government site so is not very user friendly, if you want to use a credit card click the donation button and Christie will redirect it."

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Mike Rinder was struggling with some health issues for around two years

As mentioned, the Adelaide, South Australia native was having certain health problems since 2023. Mike's wife Christie posted a statement through his blog in June of the same year, saying that he had been battling some health issues since March which affected his work, including appearances on YouTube.

Christie said that doctors were taking good care of Mike Rinder and he was also following their advice at the same time. She further stated:

"Unfortunately it's been a slow road to get to the correct diagnosis. Mike has now been officially diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. It is devastating news for our whole family, but we are navigating this new chapter with a strength and unwavering determination."

Christie disclosed that Mike had visited an oncologist and there was a mutation in his blood, leading to cancer. She expressed gratitude to everyone who supported them in this phase, saying that her husband was a fighter who could face any obstacle and become stronger.

In a health update shared by Mike Rinder through his blog in June previous year, he said that he had undergone a bronchoscopy and a biopsy of lung tissue. He then disclosed how he was diagnosed with cancer as he wrote:

"This saga began a year ago with a persistent cough and difficulty breathing which set in motion a chain of events that resulted in a thoracentesis (draining of fluid from lungs) which when tested showed cancerous cells. I then had a PET scan that showed the cancer to be in the esophagus, but also showing up in my right lung fluid (which automatically designated it Stage 4)."

Mike Rinder said that he was taking a drug called RET inhibitor, adding that the result of the above-mentioned therapies disclosed the cancer cells being spread in the lung tissue. He said that it was impossible to measure the cancer since "there is no centralized tumor or a mass."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mike Rinder's parents were also associated with Scientology and he became involved with their Sea Organization at the age of 18. His blog stated that he came to the Office of Special Affairs in 1981 and later left the organization in 2007. Furthermore, he was featured in three seasons of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.