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Controversial Publicist Found Dead

Posted Sep 29th 2007 10:53AM by TMZ Staff

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.

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(Page 4 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. Don't mess with Scientologists...this is exactly what will happen.

Posted at 3:04PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Kitty

47. Good riddance

The man was a psychophant, and even threatened me over the Colin Farrell sex tape
Being such a huge narcissist, I can't see him killing himself- man I may need to go join the Scientologists, I mean they are some powerful people!

Just look at what they have done to Kirstie Alley!
ahahaha

-KB

Posted at 3:18PM on Sep 29th 2007 by kevin blatt

48. To # 42: Yes, but the religions you mention actually *believe* in God. Scientology is *aethiest*, a "spiritual philosophy without diety", as Mr. Cruise once put it. No comparison.

And Tony Robbins never had anyone who disagreed with him killed, to the best of my knowledge.

Posted at 3:11PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Do-jo

49. Doesn't matter. Another bottom-feeding dirt bag is gone and the world is a better place.

Posted at 3:17PM on Sep 29th 2007 by toolbox

50. The path to destruction is the thug life!

Posted at 3:16PM on Sep 29th 2007 by The Reaper

51. ....Paranoia #41: I think you're drinking too much sewer water. True religion and faith in God comes from the Holy Bible, alone. Everything else in false nonsense and blasphemy that began from personal pride. "....you shall be like God....," the serpent said to Eve (Genesis 3:5).

Posted at 3:16PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Do it right

52. Oh, and #42 (the last was for 41, sorry): You said, "To say members of the Church of Scientology killed this man over photographs, is absolutely delusional! "

Don't take our word for it. Do some reading about Scientology -- starting with the article from Time Magazine (1990) and the recent one in Rolling Stone (2006). Then see if you still think that we're all delusional.

Posted at 3:17PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Do-jo

53. Stop blaming Tom Cruise ya'll know the CIA killed him cause he has stolen photos of government officials doing shady things. This is why the CIA and FBI has been so involved in his latest extortion plot.

Posted at 3:27PM on Sep 29th 2007 by CIA special opts unit

54. Pinches estupidos callense la boca! No mencionen niguna religion que no sea la religion de Jesus Cristo! Ese estupido extortionista se mato porque le escucho al diablo en vez de a jesus Cristo. Todos usted se ban a ir al infierno si no leen la biblia!

The catholicos are the only ones who ill go to heaven! All you stupid americanos are going to hell! In your perversion! Your lust for sex, porn and homosexuales! You have sex before marriage and children before you unite in the catholic church under god's will. Se van a ir al infierno perversos!

Posted at 3:36PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Catholic is the only true religion!

55. How do they know it was suicide? Did he leave a note in HIS OWN HANDWRITING?

Posted at 4:15PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Walter Barbera

56. Its no suicide. The Scientologists took care of things their own way & all things related to Tom disappeared mysteriously. Those Scientologists are good so an autopsy will probably be inconclusive.

Posted at 3:55PM on Sep 29th 2007 by xenu

57. Too bad this guy didn't take O.J. with him.

Posted at 3:56PM on Sep 29th 2007 by MBJ

58. Sure he "killed himself" ....just like all the other victims of Scientology.

Posted at 3:57PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Nicole

59. "Suicide" that's rich! Scientologists got another one! Anyone that thinks this guy committed suicide is as crazy as the cult members responsible for this.

Posted at 4:21PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Angel

60. One sleazebag down, but there are thousands to take his place.

Posted at 4:25PM on Sep 29th 2007 by beaster

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