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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
This investigative report is regarding investigative assistance provided by the Florida Department
Law Enforcement (FDLE) to the Clearwater Police Department (CPD) who are investigating the
suspicious death of LISA McPHERSON, W/F 02/10/1959.
On Friday 21 March 1997, at approximately 1050 hours, Detective (Det.) Jorge Carrasquillo of the
CPD and Special Agent (SA) Sharon L. Feola of FDLE conducted an interview with AMC
Publishing Company employee, SHIRLEY "DeDe" CAGE W/F 02/08/1949.
On the aforementioned date and time Mrs. SHIRLEY CAGE responded to the Clearwater Police
Department with AMC Publishing Company attorney, Mr. Ronald Cacciatore. The interview was
audio taped by SA Feola and Mr. Cacciatore. Prior to the start of the interview SHIRLEY CAGE
was sworn in by SA Feola.
In substance, SHIRLEY CAGE, made the following statement:
SHIRLEY CAGE stated she has been employed by AMC Publishing Company and
the sales manager for "card packs and magazines" since 1989 or 1990. CAGE
relocated with the Company from Dallas, Texas sometime in 1993 and had
supervised LISA McPHERSON from the inception of her employment. CAGE stated
although she supervised LISA McPHERSON, she (CAGE) was also a close
personal friend. CAGE and McPHERSON worked as "staff members" when the
Church of Scientology was a "mission" in Dallas, Texas. CAGE stated she has
known LISA McPHERSON since approximately 1979. In approximately 1980,
CAGE shared an apartment with McPHERSON while both were "public" and
member of the Church of Scientology Dallas.
CAGE stated the last contact she had with McPHERSON, prior to her death, was
the day McPHERSON left for the trade show in Orlando, Florida. CAGE was asked
about McPHERSON's behavior on that occasion and CAGE stated LISA was "fine"
and CAGE observed no unusual behavior.
Office: Tampa Author: Sharon L. Feola Review
Date(s) of Activity: 03/21/1997 Author
Date Dictated: N/A Case Agt
Date Word Processed: 03/25/1997 SAS
Word Processed By: slf
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 29 Documt-1A: 22
THIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WAS DISSEMINATED AND
MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM
DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITS CONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR
AGENCY.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
SA Feola asked CAGE about McPHERSON's behavior during the year of
McPHERSON's death. CAGE stated McPHERSON experienced a "difficult year" in
1995. CAGE recalled LISA took a leave of absence sometime in the summer of
1995, but could not recall the exact date. CAGE advised McPHERSON took some
time to "Get her life back together," as she was experiencing relationship problems
and troubles at work.
CAGE recalled McPHERSON's employment responsibilities while in the Sales
Department at AMC Publishing and the activities involved in receiving commissions.
CAGE advised McPHERSON was selling advertising which was mailed in a "pack"
to insurance representatives throughout the nation. McPHERSON received a
commission on the advertising "cards" she sold for each individual "pack." CAGE
discussed, at length, the operating procedure and McPHERSON's responsibilities
during her employment at AMC Publishing. CAGE stated McPHERSON was quite
motivated by the amount of commission she received for advertising sales and was
always working to increase her (McPHERSON's) commissions. CAGE stated
McPHERSON was the highest producer with AMC Publishing and no other sales
employee came close to McPHERSON's sales numbers. CAGE stated sometime in
the summer of 1995 McPHERSON indicated to CAGE she was not challenged any
further and moved into the "magazine" section of the Company.
CAGE stated McPHERSON was also motivated by the "status" her high sales
production generated and the fact McPHERSON was the "Star" of the company.
Further, CAGE stated McPHERSON was motivated by the "Status" associated with
being the best. CAGE stated McPHERSON made a lot of money and spent a lot of
money on herself. Frequently, flying to Atlanta to go shopping or home to Dallas to
go dancing.
CAGE stated Gloria Cruz lived with McPHERSON as LISA did not like to live alone
and both were "single girls."
CAGE stated the Company moved to Clearwater, Florida as the Celebrity Center
Dallas (Church of Scientology) did not offer the courses McPHERSON and other
employees were wanting to attend. CAGE stated fourteen couples moved from
Dallas to Clearwater when the Company relocated. Further, CAGE stated although
investigators are alleging McPHERSON spent tons of money at the Church of
Scientology, McPHERSON's expenditures were not contributions, they were
payments for services. CAGE recalled McPHERSON donating two-thousand
dollars to the Winter Wonderland project to set an example for others who were
involved in the project.
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 29 Documt-1A: 22
Page 2
This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
CAGE stated since McPHERSON's relocation to Clearwater she, "Has continually
been on a course or been receiving auditing." Most of McPHERSON's expenditures
to the Church of Scientology were for services she wanted and courses
McPHERSON was involved. CAGE stated McPHERSON was totally dedicated to
the Church of Scientology and could afford to put all her donations toward moving
up the bridge.
CAGE stated she did not have any contact with McPHERSON after she returned
from the trade show in Orlando nor could she recall if anyone had contact with
McPHERSON during her stay at the Fort Harrison. CAGE recalled she learned of
LISA's death as she was told by David Slaughter to go to the Church of Scientology
and see the "Chaplain." At that time the Chaplain told her LISA had died. CAGE
stated she had no other information regarding the facts and circumstances of LISA's
isolation and subsequent death.
CAGE stated she received a call from Craig Burton while they were at the Orlando
trade show. BURTON told CAGE, LISA was acting "kind of weird." BURTON did
not go into detail about McPHERSON's behavior, but stated he would keep an eye
on her. CAGE stated Brenda Hubert may have contacted her from Orlando, Florida
and a decision was made to bring LISA home early from the show. CAGE could not
recall who made the decision about bringing LISA home. CAGE stated she does
not recall writing a report about the incident.
CAGE was questioned by Det. Carrasquillo about the "Introspection Rundown."
CAGE stated she has knowledge about the rundown but has no knowledge if LISA
was involved in this rundown. CAGE explained to investigators the physical
wellness involved when participating in Scientology courses and how an individual
must be physically fit prior to participating in an auditing session or being involved in
an "E-meter" session. CAGE inferred McPHERSON would not be physically
capable of participating in an Introspection Rundown at or around the time of her
death.
CAGE discussed the commitment involved in being a member of the "Sea Org" and
the Church of Scientology "Billion year contract." Both McPHERSON and CAGE
had signed a billion year contract (five years) during a time in Dallas, Texas. CAGE
stated most of her Church training have been in the administrative side of the
"Bridge" and courses related to administrative and business related activities.
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 29 Documt-1A: 22
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This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
SHIRLEY CAGE had no other information pertinent to this investigation. For additional
information regarding the interview with SHIRLEY CAGE, see the attached transcript.
This concludes the investigative interview with SHIRLEY DEDE CAGE and clears lead #51.
The following items will be maintained in the 1A section of the case file:
1) Original audio tape and transcript of interview with SHIRLEY CAGE.
2) List of AMC Publishing employees.
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 29 Documt-1A: 22
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This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
SUBJECT DATA
PERSONS:
CAGE, SHIRLEY RAE AIRS# 00519111
A.K.A./ DEDE
W/F DOB/ 02/08/1949
ADD/ 1301 HIGHFIELD DRIVE
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 34634
TX/ (813)532-9634
OCC/ AMC PUBLISHING COMPANY EMPLOYEE
McPHERSON, LISA (Deceased) AIRS# 00501132
BUSINESS:
AMC PUBLISHING CO. AIRS# 00512670
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 29 Documt-1A: 22
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This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.