Controversial Publicist Found Dead

Publicist David Hans Schmidt, who plead guilty last month to attempting to extort Tom Cruise, was found dead of an apparent suicide in his Phoenix home on Friday.

Schmidt was under house arrest after agreeing to plead guilty to a $1 million extortion fiasco, using Tom Cruise's stolen wedding photos. According to the AP, authorities went to Schmidt's Phoenix home after a tracking device on him had not moved and he hadn't checked in, said police Lt. Anthony Lopez.

Schmidt is also known for an auction of Paris Hilton's diaries, and for representing Olympic scandal skater Tonya Harding and prostitute Divine Brown, who dallied with actor Hugh Grant. More recently, Schmidt said he was involved in Dustin "Screech" Diamond's nasty sex video.



Reader Comments

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31. The first thing I thought when I saw this "alleged" suicide was I bet the Scientologists did it. As someone that was forced to study Scientology as part of keeping a VERY HIGH PAYING job I will tell you that after what I went through to get rid of them(and believe me I still get crap in the mail) there is not a doubt in my mind that Scientologists had something to do with it. He might have actually taken his own life but believe me he did it because Scientologist screwed with his mind each and every day until he felt he had no choice. They preach to be highly ethical but believe me they will do anything to save their own a$$.

Posted at 1:48PM on Sep 29th 2007 by mellemel

32. # 30 you are so right!!! Do you know why Tom left Nicole??? Because she wouldn't "DISCONNECT" from her Psychiatrist father!!!! I swear it to be true!! He is a 'SUPPRESSIVE PERSON" according to Scientology speak and Katie's dad is a divorce lawyer. I already see it coming, just watch.

Posted at 1:48PM on Sep 29th 2007 by mellemel

33. hit..........................

we are all going to end up dead now...

Posted at 1:52PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Mia

34. Science tolly whoo did it

Posted at 1:55PM on Sep 29th 2007 by wienerman

35. I, for one, won't ever spend a dime to watch shorty Scientologist Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in any movie! I even regret seeing his azz in, "Top Gun," from an '80's rental.

Posted at 2:05PM on Sep 29th 2007 by rat-a-tat-tat

36. Schmidt pissed off a lot more people than Cruise.
Read article linked at comment @ 1:23 PM.
Not just Cruise unhappy with this guy. We know you hate them, but that doesn't mean you discount the rest of his past just because you want to nail Scientology. Objectivity, people.

Posted at 2:06PM on Sep 29th 2007 by The Plot Thickens.

37. So, what....Tom and his Scientolo-cronies had him killed now??

Posted at 2:16PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Alisa

38. Don't mess w Tomcat,he is a black agent for the NSA.

Posted at 2:12PM on Sep 29th 2007 by ZXE

39. mellemel #32: The most troubling part of your story is that you sound absolutely credible and believable.

Posted at 2:10PM on Sep 29th 2007 by rat-a-tat-tat

40. Somehow this guy doesn't seem to be a candidate for suicide. He was involved in some pretty shady deals during his life. What? He suddenly grew a conscience?

Posted at 12:01AM on Oct 6th 2007 by Over The Rainbow

41. Suicide

Posted at 2:29PM on Sep 29th 2007 by www.sugar-shoes.co.uk

42. Why do you people fear Scientology?

You, most likely, lump Chuch of Religious Science, Unity, and Christian Science in there, too?

Tony Robbins and most of the inspirational teachers from the past 30 years use principles from all these churches in their lectures.

Don't be afraid of getting to know your "true" Selves....that's where you tap into the sweet nectar of G-d and (then) truly feel safe and "at home" on the Earth!

Posted at 2:31PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Don't get caught in the grip of PARANOIA....

43. What amazing imaginations and, hopefully, your thoughts are more positive among your co-workers and/or fellow students?!

You can believe that (both) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes feel tremendous compassion for this soul who took his own life.

To say members of the Church of Scientology killed this man over photographs, is absolutely delusional!

Go outside and get physical so you can better connect to Mother Earth!

Posted at 2:38PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Don't get caught in the grip of PARANOIA....

44. Just what kind of "union" did those "wedding" pictures show?

Posted at 2:41PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Doomimatrix

45. A few jabs at presidents on THIS topic? Strange.

Hopefully, most of you probably don't vote anyway.

Posted at 2:53PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Lilarose (Susan Davis)

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