Heber Jentzsch: A Tale of Faith, Power, and Betrayal

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Can a man’s journey from devout Mormonism to the heights of Scientology leadership illuminate the darkest corners of this controversial organization? Join us on "Sins of Scientology" as we unravel the life of Heber Jentzsch, whose transformation from a Salt Lake City native to a Master of Media manipulation within Scientology reveals a story of ambition, adaptation, and controversy. This episode takes you through Heber's early influences, his academic pursuits in communications, and his initial foray into journalism and the arts, all of which set the stage for his rise to become the Church of Scientology International president.

We spotlight Heber's relentless efforts to promote Scientology globally and his crises, including the harrowing period spent in "The Hole," Scientology's notorious prison. Explore Heber’s complex family dynamics, particularly his marriage to influential Scientologist Yvonne Gillham, and the heartbreaking story of his son Alexander. Alexander's life within the Sea Organization, his rare interactions with his father, and his mysterious death at just 27 years old add a haunting layer to this narrative. This chapter offers an in-depth look at the human cost of Scientology's secretive and often ruthless practices.

As we conclude our exploration of Heber Jentzsch’s life, we pivot to the broader issues raised by his story, setting the scene for our next gripping topic: the tragic case of Lisa McPherson. Her untimely death and the ensuing legal battles pull back the curtain on Scientology’s internal policies and the lengths it goes to protect its secrets. Please tune in to uncover the chilling realities of Scientology and the lives forever changed by its reach.
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most enigmatic organizations.
I'm Sandi McKenna, your guidethrough the shadowy corridors of
Scientology's past, joined bymy co-host, A abraham Ulrich.
Together, we uncover the hiddentruths and dark tales that have

(00:21):
remained shrouded in mystery.
In this episode, we delve intothe life of Heber Jentzsch, a
figure whose journey from theheart of Mormon Utah to the
upper echelons of Scientology isas intriguing as it is
unsettling.
Born into a world of faith andstrict moral codes, Heber's
early years seemed destined fora path of righteousness, but

(00:44):
fate had other plans.
Segment by segment, we unravelHeber's early years.
Seemed destined for a path ofrighteousness, but fate had
other plans.
Segment by segment, we unravelHeber's transformation, from his
beginnings as a devout Mormon,influenced by his father's
academic stature at BrighamYoung University, to his rise in
the world of journalism andarts.
Heber's story is a mosaic ofambition and adaptation.
Yet it is his deep plunge intoScientology that casts the

(01:08):
longest shadow.
As president of the Church ofScientology International, heber
Jentsch became a master ofmedia manipulation and public
relations, defending the churchthrough countless controversies.
But behind the scenes, his lifewas fraught with tension,
secrecy and power struggles thatwould eventually lead to his

(01:28):
dramatic fall from grace.
Heber's personal life, markedwith marriages to influential
Scientologists, and the tragictale of his son, alexander, add
layers of complexity and sorrowto his story.
And then there was the hole,the infamous prison where Heber
was reportedly confined, a placeshrouded in allegations of

(01:49):
abuse and coercion, a place thatserves as a stark symbol of
Scientology's darker side.
Join us as we navigate throughHeber Gentsch's serpentine
journey, a tale of faith, powerand betrayal.
This is not just a story abouta man.
It is a story about the lengthsto which an organization will
go to protect its secrets andthe human cost of those secrets.

(02:12):
Stay with us as we lift theveil on the story of Heber
Gentsch, right here on the Sinsof Scientology.

Abraham Aurich (02:21):
Heber Carl Gentsch was born on November
1935, in Salt Lake City, utah.
His upbringing wassignificantly shaped by the
religious and cultureenvironment of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints, the LDS Church, commonly
known as the Mormon Church.
Heber was never baptized intothe LDS Church, but he still

(02:42):
identified as a believing Mormon.
Baptized into the LDS Church,but he still identified as a
believing Mormon.
Heber's father, carl F Chunch,was an esteemed professor of
arts and aesthetics at BrighamYoung University, byu, a major
institution affiliated with theLDS Church in Bravo, utah.
His connection to BYU and theLDS Church profoundly influenced
Heber's early years, immersinghim in a community deeply rooted

(03:06):
in Mormon values and teachings.
Growing up in a devoted Mormonfamily, heber was instilled with
the principles and doctrines ofthe LDS Church from a young age
.
The Mormon Church emphasizesfamily, community service and
adherence to strict moral code,which would have been integral
to Heber's childhood.
Regular attendance at churchservices, participation in

(03:29):
church-related activities andthe influence of Mormon
teachings on a daily life werelikely constant during his
formative years.
Heber's educational journeybegan in this religiously
enriched environment.
He attended local school inSalt Lake City, where his
upbringing in a Mormon familywould have been both a
commonality and a cornerstone ofhis social and educational

(03:51):
experiences.
Heber attended Weber College inOgden, utah.
In the University of Utah In1959, he earned a degree in
communications and Easternreligion.
His father's academic positionmay have also provided Heber
with early exposure to the arts,aesthetics and the value of
higher education.
Given his father's role at BYU,heber may have had access to a

(04:15):
wealth of cultural andintellectual resources.
This exposure could havesparked an early interest in
communication, arts and publicspeaking skills he later
utilized extensively in hiscareer with Scientology.
Salt Lake City, as theheadquarter of the LDS Church,
offered a unique culturallandscape.
Heber's upbringing in this citywould have included

(04:36):
participation in traditionalMormon practices such as
attending the semi-annualGeneral Conference, engaging in
community service projects andpossibly preparing for a mission
, a coming rite of passage foryoung Mormon men.
The solid religious and moralframework provided by his Mormon
upbringing likely influencedHeber's later decision and
career path.

(04:57):
While he eventually divergedsignificantly from the LDS
church by joining Scientology,the communication skills,
discipline and the valuesinstilled in him during his
early years remained evidentthroughout his life.
Heber's transition from atraditional Mormon upbringing to
a prominent figure inScientology is a testament to
the complex interplay of hisearly experiences in the diverse

(05:20):
paths his life would take.
The foundations laid during hisformative years in Salt Lake
City undoubtedly shaped hisworldview, approach to
leadership and the challengingand often controversial
landscape of his later career.

Sandi Mckenna (05:34):
Before becoming involved in Scientology, heber
Jentsch worked in the arts andmedia, where he developed skills
that would prove to beinvaluable in his role within
the Church of Scientology.
Heber pursued higher educationat the University of Utah,
majoring in communications.
This academic background gavehim a solid foundation in

(05:55):
various aspects of media,including journalism, public
relations and broadcasting.
The University of Utah'scommunications program is known
for offering a comprehensivecurriculum covering theatrical
and practical elements of mediaand communication, equipping
students with the skillsnecessary for a variety of
careers.
After completing his studies,gench put his education to the

(06:17):
test, honing his writing,reporting and investigative
skills.
Heber had a keen eye for detail, an ability to communicate
effectively and a dedication touncovering what he saw as the
truth, attributes that Gentschwould later carry into his role
as spokesperson for Scientology.
Heber dipped his toe into theentertainment industry, perhaps
with aspirations of becoming anactor.

(06:39):
During the 1960s, heber had bitacting parts in a few notable
television shows.
He had a fleeting appearance asa German lieutenant back in
1965 in episode one of the TVseries Combat, a war drama set
during World War II.
He must have been convincing,because two years later, in 1967
, he was once again cast as aGerman SS lieutenant in episode

(07:03):
one of the series Garrison'sGorillas, a group of convicts
turned commandos during WorldWar II.
Additionally, he played ChetNichols in the King of Empty
Cups episode of the Mod Squad,which aired on January 20, 1970.
The Mod Squad was acounterculture police drama
about three young undercovercops.

(07:25):
His studies at the University ofUtah and his bit-acting roles
in notable TV shows laid thefoundation for his later
involvement in Scientology,where he would become a
prominent figure.
Combining his education andexperience in journalism, public
relations and the arts gaveHeber a unique skill set.
He developed strongcommunication skills, deep

(07:47):
understanding of media dynamicsand the ability to manage public
perception, all of which werecrucial in his later work in
Scientology.
His background in media andcommunications allowed him to
adeptly handle the church'spublic relations, manage its
interactions with the press andeffectively communicate
Scientology's messages to thepublic.

(08:08):
This expertise was significantas Scientology often appeared in
the public eye, facing scrutinyand controversy.

Abraham Aurich (08:16):
Heber Jenge joined the Church of Scientology
in the late 1960s.
This period was a time ofsignificant expansion for
Scientology, as it wasestablishing itself more firmly
in the United States andinternationally.
Jentsch's entry into the churchbegan a long and influential
career within the organization.
In his own words, heber shareswhy he joined and believes in

(08:39):
Scientology during this 1985 60Minutes interview.

Heber Jentzsch (08:43):
Now the thing is that there are millions of
Scientologists who are veryhappy with Scientology Millions,
millions and millions.
Why?
Why?
Because it works.
Because it's not something thatis done to you, which is what
psychiatry basically operates on.
It is something you dosomething with.

(09:04):
For me personally, I grew up inUtah.
I was one of the people who wasa recipient of fallout from
Yucca Flats.
The wonderfulness of thisgovernment chose not to tell the
doctors in the area what it waslike to get radiation burns
over your body from falloutwhich I got, and I almost died
from burns over your body fromfallout which I got and I almost

(09:25):
died from.
Doctor didn't even know what itwas.
Had cortisone not been a brandnew drug at the time, I would
have died 24 hours later and foryears and years I carried
within me the aching bones andthe sensation of enormous
fatigue from that particularexperience.
It was Hubbard's technologywhich alleviated that for the

(09:46):
first time in my life.
So I'm not a person who's goingto be attacking L Ron Hubbard,
and you will find there areothers like me for different
reasons.
Million, I would say millions,yes, a mini-million.

Abraham Aurich (10:01):
Upon joining Scientology, gensh quickly rose
through the ranks.
His journalism and publicrelations background made him a
valuable asset to the church.
Often embroiled in publiccontroversies and legal battles,
he started taking on roles thatinvolved managing the church's
image and communicating itsmessage to the public.
One of Gensh's early roles waswithin the Guardian's office,

(10:24):
the church's intelligence andpublic relations arm.
The Guardian's office handledlegal affairs, public relations
and other external activities toprotect and promote Scientology
.
This experience allowed Genshto deeply understand the
church's strategy for dealingwith external scrutiny and
criticism.
In 1983, heber Gensh wasappointed president of the

(10:45):
Church of ScientologyInternational CSI.
Csi serves as the centralorganization that oversees the
activities of Scientologychurches around the world.
As president, gensh became theofficial spokesperson for the
church, a role that required himto represent Scientology in
various public and legal forums.
Here is another clip from the1985 60 Minutes interview where

(11:10):
we hear Gentsch in his role as aspokesperson for the church.

Heber Jentzsch (11:14):
Adverse to his existence and what he's doing,
mr Hubbard, unequivocally, hasimpacted this civilization, in
my estimation, more greatly thananyone I've ever met.
Why has he not met you, you him?
Why has he become?
Why is he a recluse?
No, I think he's a man, as theydecided in the Riverside Court

(11:37):
that he has a right to privacy.
It's America, this is notRussia and he has a right to
privacy.
This man is is concerned withresearch on the areas of the
human spirit.
He's done it his whole life.
It's been his life's work toassist people and he's chosen to
take a little sabbatical and dothat and to continue writing.
You know that he hasbestsellers on the bestseller

(11:59):
lists last year all over thecountry, all over the world.
When is it very well public?
When did he last appear inpublic?
Oh, I would say it was probablyfour or five years ago when,
california, he was doing filmsin California, shooting films
for the Church of Scientology, anumber of people working with
him.
Is it conceivable that youwould make him available or he
might become available for thisbroadcast?

(12:20):
I wouldn't want Mr Hubbard.
I can't speak for him.
First of all, I don't thinkhe'd be interested.
I don't think this is a showthat's concerned with religion
that much, and I don't thinkit's a show in which I think
when Mr Hubbard decides MrWallace to make an appearance,
it's going to be a much largerappearance than something like

(12:40):
60th anniversary.

Abraham Aurich (12:41):
As the president of CSI, gentsch was heavily
involved in the church's publicrelation efforts.
He frequently appeared in themedia to defend Scientology
against allegations of abuse,fraud and other misconduct.
His ability to articulate thechurch's position and counteract
negative publicity was key toScientology's strategy to

(13:02):
maintain its public image.
Gensh's role also involvedintense travel to represent the
church at international events,conferences and legal
proceedings.
He played a significant part inScientology's efforts to gain
recognition as a religion invarious countries, which often
involved complex legal andpolitical negotiations.
Gensh was at the forefront ofmany of Scientology's legal

(13:25):
battles throughout his tenure.
The church faced numerouslawsuits and investigations
during this period, particularlyin the United States and Europe
.
Gensh's responsibilitiesincluded managing these legal
challenges and working tomitigate their impact on the
Church's operation andreputation.
One of the most notable legalcases during his tenure was the

(13:46):
Operation Snow White scandal, inwhich the church was found to
have infiltrated variousgovernment agencies to purge
unfavorable records.
Although this scandal primarilyinvolved the Guardian's office,
it had widespread implicationfor the church and required
significant PR efforts toaddress the fallout.

Sandi Mckenna (14:03):
As the president of the Church of Scientology
International, or CSI, heber wasthe church's primary
representative on the globalstage.
His role required extensivetravel to various countries to
attend international events,conferences and legal
proceedings.
Through his efforts, heberworked to promote Scientology,

(14:24):
defend against criticism andseek official recognition as a
legitimate religion.
Heber attended numerousinternational events and
conferences where he spoke aboutScientology's beliefs,
practices and societalcontributions.
These appearances were designedto present a positive image of
Scientology and to counteractnegative perceptions.

(14:46):
For example, heber participatedin a conference on religious
freedom and human rights,arguing that Scientology should
be afforded the same legalprotections and recognition as
the other religious groups.
One notable example was hisparticipation in the
International Association ofScientologists' IAS annual

(15:07):
events.
At these gatherings, held invarious locations worldwide,
heber delivered speecheshighlighting Scientology's
growth, achievements and effortsto combat human rights abuses.
These events were attended byScientologists from numerous
countries and were a platformfor reinforcing the Church's
global unity and mission.

(15:27):
Heber played a pivotal role inScientology's legal battles in
multiple countries.
These efforts often involvedcomplex legal and political
negotiations aimed at securingrecognition for Scientology as a
bona fide religion.
Here are some detailed examplesof his involvement.
In Germany, scientology facedsignificant opposition, with

(15:49):
authorities viewing it as acommercial enterprise rather
than a religion.
Heber actively advocated forthe church's recognition and
countering claims of itsanti-democratic activities.
He engaged with Germanofficials, participated in
public debates and providedtestimony in legal proceedings.
Despite these efforts, germanycontinues to scrutinize

(16:10):
Scientology, reflecting thechallenges Heber faced in
altering entrenched perceptions.
France was another battlegroundwhere Scientology sought
recognition as a religion.
The French governmentclassified Scientology as a sect
, subjecting it to financial andlegal scrutiny.
Heber worked to challenge thisclassification, representing

(16:32):
Scientology in court cases andengaging in public relations
campaigns to shift publicopinion.
His advocacy includedhighlighting Scientology's
charitable activities andcontributions to social causes.
Heber's efforts were moresuccessful in Spain.
After a prolonged legal battle,the National Court of Spain

(16:52):
recognized Scientology as areligion in 2007.
Heber's role includedoverseeing the legal strategy,
engaging with Spanish legalexperts and presenting arguments
emphasizing Scientology'sreligious nature and alignment
with the principles of religiousfreedom enshrined in Spanish
law.
The UK also posed challenges,with Scientology initially being

(17:16):
denied recognition as areligion.
Heber's involvement includedlobbying efforts, legal
challenges and public relationscampaigns.
His work contributed to thelandmark decision in 2013, when
the UK Supreme Court ruled thatScientology's chapel in London
could be registered as a placeof worship, thus granting the

(17:36):
church the recognition it hadlong sought with government
officials and policymakers.
His approach often involvedframing Scientology within the
border context of religiousfreedom and human rights.
By aligning Scientology's causewith these universally accepted

(17:58):
principles, he were aimed togarner support from
international organizations andhuman rights advocates.
For instance, he engaged withthe United Nations, human Rights
Council and other internationalbodies to present Scientology's
case as one of religiouspersecution.
The strategy was intended toapply pressure on governments

(18:21):
that were hostile to Scientologyand build alliances with other
religious and human rightsgroups.
Hiberjentz's extensive traveland representation efforts
significantly impactedScientology's global standing.
While he faced substantialopposition and numerous legal
setbacks, his work also led toimportant victories that

(18:43):
advanced Scientology'srecognition and legitimacy in
several countries.
His legacy in that area ismarked by the challenges he
encountered and his progress inadvocating for Scientology on
the world stage.
These efforts were far fromsmooth sailing, though.
Heber Jentz was arrested inSpain in 1988, along with 69

(19:03):
other Scientologists, and itbecame an international incident
Protested by the Church ofScientology through any means
they could think of to try toget Heber out of jail.

Fox News (19:14):
Twenty-three leaders of the LA-based Church of
Scientology are still in custodyin Spain tonight, nine of them
ordered to jail on charges ofswindling Spaniards out of money
they paid for drugrehabilitation.
Jane Wells talked toScientologists in Hollywood
tonight as they try to getinformation about their jailed
leader.

Karen de la Carriere (19:32):
This is Alexander Jentz, and he is here
with me tonight because hisfather is not here.
His father is in a jail inMadrid, spain.

Fox News (19:42):
Scientologists believe .
Church President Jentz andother members have been arrested
in Spain because their drugrehabilitation efforts there
have worked too well.

Karen de la Carriere (19:50):
Obviously we have cut across, with a drug
rehabilitation program that isworking and is expanding in
Spain, some vested interest.

Fox News (19:57):
It is interested in drug proliferation and drug
addiction 71 church members werearrested Saturday at a meeting
as police investigate them forfraud, extortion and tax evasion
.
Most have been released, butnot Jens, a former actor who's
been with the church 25 years.

Karen de la Carriere (20:13):
We stand for religious liberty.
We stand for those freedoms.

Fox News (20:18):
Scientologists charge that their people are being
mistreated in Spanish jails.
They say they're being deniedblankets and mattresses and
forced to drink dirty water andeat only cookies for meals.
The church was founded in the50s by author L Ron Hubbard.
Its purpose To free the soulthrough knowledge.
But some former members say thereality is much more sinister.
Hannah Eltringham says she wasput in a virtual prison camp for

(20:40):
a year when the churchperceived she had evil
intentions.

Karen de la Carriere (20:43):
We had to run.
Everywhere we went we had torun, whether it was carrying
pails of sand or concrete up tenflights of steps for building
purposes, we had to run.

Fox News (20:53):
The church continues to deny such charges, saying it
is being harassed by governmentsaround the world.
Meanwhile, the Spanish judgewill determine within 24 hours
what charges, if any, will bemade against Jentz and those
remaining in jail with him.

Sandi Mckenna (21:06):
Jane Wells Fox News.
Jentz and those remaining injail with him.
Jane Wells Fox News.
After three weeks ofincarceration, heber was granted
bail of a million dollars andfled the country immediately,
never to return.

Abraham Aurich (21:24):
It wasn't until 2002 that the charges were
dropped and the bond moneyreturned.
Heber Jentz married AustralianScientologist Yvonne Gillam
after her divorce from PeterGillam.
One of the top lecturers on thesubject of Scientology, yvonne
Gillam Gensh was the founder ofthe Celebrity Centre for the
Church of Scientology and grewit to more than 200 staff.
They married from 1972 untilher death from cancer in 1978.

(21:46):
In her book Commodore'sMessenger A Child Adrift in the
Sea Organization, her daughter,janice Gillum Grady, recalls
Tragically upon mom's arrival inClearwater she was sequestered
to a room with a few to novisitors.
She could no longer work, soshe was considered a malingerer
and someone not pulling theirweight.

(22:07):
Only my stepfather, heber Jench, my father, peter Gillum, and
my sister Terry Gamboa, who hadto sneak away to Florida from
California, had a chance to saygoodbye.
Her illness, as well as herultimate death, was considered
bad PR for Scientology.
I could not shake the feelingof betrayal.
The lies about her condition,the cover-ups and how others

(22:35):
prevented me from knowing whatreally happened just held my
grief in place.
This marriage preceded his morepublicly known relationship with
Karen de la Carriere.
Karen was a prominent figurewithin the Church of Scientology
and one of its highly trainedauditors.
The couple's relationshipunited two influential
Scientologists, furthersolidifying their roles within
the organization.
Their marriage was a notableunion within the church, giving

(22:59):
Karen's significantcontributions and standings
within Scientology's hierarchy.
Born in England, she becameinvolved with Scientology in the
1960s and quickly rose throughthe ranks due to her dedication
and skills.
Karen was trained directly byScientology's founder, l Ron
Hubbard and became one of thefew individuals to attain the

(23:22):
highest level of auditing andtraining within the church,
known as a class 7 auditor.
This elite status made her ahighly influential figure within
Scientology's internalstructure.
Karen de la Carriere and HeberGensh's marriage was a
significant union withinScientology.
Both were influential in theirown rights, heber as the

(23:42):
president of the Church ofScientology International and
Karen as the top auditor andtrainer.
Their marriage symbolized thepowerful alliance within the
church, merging their respectivespheres of influence.
Karen's contributions wereprimarily within Scientology's
internal operations.
She served aboard the flagshipApollo and was trained by LRH to

(24:05):
the level of Class 7 Auditor CS, one of the only seven LRH ever
made.
As a Class 7 Auditor, shedelivered advanced auditing
sessions and trained otherauditors.
Her work involved helpingmembers reach higher levels of
spiritual awareness and clearingthe psychological barriers
believed to impede theirprogress.

(24:26):
Karen's expertise anddedication earned her a
respected place in the church'shierarchy.
The marriage between Heber andKaren was notable for several
reasons.
Both were highly visible andrespected within Scientology,
with intensive contributions tothe church's growth and
operations.
Their marriage represented thecoming together of two powerful

(24:48):
entities within the organization.
Together, they yieldedsignificant influence over both
the public perception andinternal workings of Scientology
.
Heber's public relations skillsand Karen's auditing expertise
made them a formidable team.
Their relationship providedmutual support in their
demanding role.
Karen's work as an auditor wascomplemented by Heber's efforts

(25:12):
to defend and promoteScientology publicly, creating a
strong partnership within thechurch.
The couple eventually separatedand Karen the lecarrier left the
Church of Scientology.
Her departure was met withsevere repercussion due to the
church's policy of disconnection, which mandates cutting off all
ties with those deemedsuppressive persons, or SPs.

(25:34):
This policy led her toestrangement from Heber and
other church members, includingher son Alexander.
After leaving Scientology,karen became one of its most
vocal critics.
She has shared her experiencesand exposed various practices
within the church, mainlyfocusing on its policies
regarding disconnection andtreatment of members.

(25:57):
Her outspoken stance hasbrought significant attention to
the challenges andcontroversies surrounding
Scientology.
Karen de la Carriere continuesto be an active critic of
Scientology, using her platformto advocate for those affected
by the church's practices.
She has provided insight intothe inner workings of

(26:18):
Scientology and highlighted thepersonal costs of his policies
on family relationships.

Sandi Mckenna (26:25):
In 2004, heber Jentsch fell out of favor with
David Miscavige, the Trooch'sleader.
As a result, he was sent to theHole, an office prison at
Scientology's international basein Los Angeles.
The Hole was notorious for itsharsh conditions and was
initially called the A2E roombefore being renamed.

(26:46):
The Hole is described as afacility with barred windows and
doors where around 60 to 100high-ranking Scientology
executives, including both menand women, were confined.
They could leave only to shower, and their time was otherwise
spent in intense training andconfessions.
The conditions were squalid anddetainees sleeping on cots,

(27:09):
floors and desktops in extremelycrowded rooms.
Meals consisted of somestandard food referred to as
slop.
Punishments in the wholeincluded humiliation and
physical abuse.
Executives were sometimesforced to play games like
musical chairs when the stakeswere high.
Losers were threatened withexpulsion from the church and

(27:30):
separation from their families.
Reports from former members,such as Mike Rinder, indicate
that violence and coercion werecommon, with detainees subjected
to beatings and other forms ofabuse to extract confessions and
demonstrate loyalty.
The harsh treatment was part ofa broader pattern of discipline
with Scientology, whereperceived disobedience or

(27:53):
incompetence could result inconfinement.
In the whole, miscavige'sleadership style was marked by
such extreme measures, which hejustified as necessary for
maintaining control andenforcing discipline within the
organization.
Despite the Church's denials ofthe hole's existence, numerous
accounts from formerScientologists and investigative

(28:14):
reports have detailed itsreality and severe conditions
endured by those confined.
David Gench told Tony Ortega ofthe Village Voice on July 20,
2012, that the last time hespoke to his brother, heber, was
around 2009.
At that time, he urged hisbrother to break out of
Scientology's international basenear Hemet, california.

(28:35):
Heber said I don't think I canever get out of here.
His brother told him you haveto try.
And the last thing he said tohim was I'll never get out of
here alive.
Since that time, workers at thebase have refused his calls.
David Gent said they won't letme talk to him.
Heber just lost his son,alexander.
I called and told them I'd liketo talk to my brother about

(28:59):
this.
They told me you can't come, wedon't want you here.
David Jench told them he'd godown there and they'd have to
let him see Heber.
But they said Heber is notgoing to be able to talk to you,
so it's best you just don'tcome.
David didn't know that hisbrother had been let out of the
base for a rare trip to LosAngeles to attend his son's
memorial.

(29:19):
Heber has rarely been cited inpublic since 2004.
In 2006, miscavige did letHeber out of the hole for one
final stage appearance at theMaiden Voyage event.
According to Tizanio Lugli, anItalian musician and former
Scientologist, he saw HeberJentsch at Isaac Hayes' funeral

(29:41):
in 2008.
Heber hasn't attended anyScientology events.
He hasn't answered anycommunication and he is
unavailable to the media.

Abraham Aurich (29:50):
Karen and Heber Gensch had one son, Alexander
Gensch, born on November 26,1984.
Alexander was deeply involvedin Scientology from a young age,
reflecting his parents'high-level involvement.
He participated in variousScientology programs and was
raised within the church'sdoctrines and practices.

(30:10):
Alexander's upbringing washeavily influenced by
Scientology and he spent most ofhis early life in Scientology
environment, including the SeaOrganization, a dedicated group
of the church's most committedmembers.
As a child, Alexander Genschwas raised as Scientology
royalty.
When Alex was around 11 or 12years old, he was recruited to

(30:32):
join the Sea Org organization.
Sea Org members live and workcommunally, often under strict
conditions and with significantdemands of their time and
loyalty to the church.
With his father still part ofthe Sea Org, Alexander joined
them, hoping he could see hisfather more often.
Instead, Alexander was shippedto Scientology's largest church

(30:52):
facility in Clearwater, Florida,called the Flag Services
Organization, where he didestates work, mainly cleaning.
His parents remained inCalifornia.
Alexander Jench only saw hisfather 11 times in 15 years, a
fact repeated countless times bychildren of Sea Org parents.
He used to call himself the boywithout a dad.

(31:14):
Let's examine this clip from anews reporter talking to Karen
Delacarriere about Alexander.

Karen de la Carriere (31:20):
Only saw he were 11 times in the last 15
years of his life.
We're talking about yourhusband at the time.
Yes.
Okay, and he wanted to join theSea Org so that he they promised
him.
The recruiter said don't youwant to see your father?
He's Sea Org.
You'll be Sea Org.
It was all a scam.
So Alexander joined at eightyears old and I have only myself

(31:44):
to blame.
I went through horror andtorture in the Sea Org.
I should have known better, butI was messed up.
Alex, I really was Allison.
I'm much more savvy now.

Abraham Aurich (31:58):
As a 12-year-old boy with little formal
education and under the care ofrandom adults at Flag, alex had
no real exposure to the outsideworld or the dangers of sexual
predation.
Alexander was found to behaving sexual intercourses at
the age of 12 at the FLAG landbase with a 40-year-old woman in
the Office of Special Affairs.

(32:19):
Once this became well-knownwithin the organization, and to
avoid a potential PR nightmare,alexander was sent to the
Continental Liaison Office, orCLO West US.
This was the management bodyfor Scientology in the western
United States and had many otherfunctions, including estates,
work for the entire Big Bluefacility, running the numerous

(32:41):
Scientology events which occurseveral times a year, which
occurs several times a year.
By the 1990s, alexander wasrunning the Boiler Room, aka
Phone Bank, which contactedlocal Scientologists by phone
and email to get them confirmedto come to these events, and he
did this for years.
Alexander married Andrea Kavan.
Both Alexander and Andrea weremembers of the Sea Organization

(33:06):
Scientology's clergy, but theyleft in 2010 when Andrea became
pregnant, though she latermiscarried.
They lived for a while inGlendale, california, but
eventually moved to Dallas,where Alexander took a job in
sales at a Scientology-ownedcompany.
Soon it became clear thatAlex's sheltered and cloistered

(33:26):
life had ill-prepared him andAndrea for living in the real
world.
His relationship with Andreareportedly became a strain
during this time.
In the early 2000s, alexander'smother, karen, was disillusioned
with Scientology.
She began posting anonymouslyonline about Scientology, the
Sea Org and her own experiencesunder the anonymous name War and

(33:50):
Peace.
In 2010, she was declared asuppressive person.
Alexander was forced todisconnect with his mother when
she left Scientology In the lasttwo years of his life.
Alexander was cut off from bothhis parents.
At some point during this time,alex got into a car accident in
Dallas and was put on Oxycontin, a heavy-duty painkiller for

(34:13):
back pain.
From the limited information wefound, it appears that Alex has
substance abuse issues as aresult of this prescribed
medication.
He received the methadoneprescription.
While the drug is prescribed tohelp heroin addicts with
withdrawals, it's alsoprescribed for acute pain.
After losing his job in Dallas,alexander returned to Los

(34:35):
Angeles the last week of June tolive with his in-laws.
He developed a head cold on thetrip back and began to take
over-the-counter medications.
Unfortunately, this developedinto pneumonia, something
neither Alex nor his in-lawsrecognized as serious At this
point.
Alex was still having troublebreathing and was running a

(34:55):
fever.
Rather than taking Alex to ahospital or calling a doctor,
scientology decides to deal withthis by calling none other than
Stan Gershon an OT-8, to givehim a touch assist for his
inability to breathe.
That's right no hospital, nodoctor.
They called an OT-8 to give hima touch assist for pneumonia.

(35:17):
On July 2nd at 9 am, alex'sin-laws saw him asleep.
Twelve hours later, around 9 pm, alex still hadn't moved, but
no one bothered to check in onhim.
Tragically, on the morning ofJuly 3rd, alexander's
father-in-law checked in on himand found him unresponsive.
He then took his child toschool, returned home and only

(35:39):
then called 911.
Let's examine this clip fromABC7 News' report of the
incident.

ABC7 News (35:47):
Questions being raised now about the mysterious
death of a 27-year-old SouthernCalifornia man, new at 11,.
Eyewitness News reporter LeanneSuter joins us with more
details about the unusual twistsin this case.
Leanne Mark, the LA CountyCoroner's Office is
investigating the mysteriousdeath of 27-year-old Andrew
Alexander Jench.
He was found dead inside aSylmar home July 3rd, but why

(36:10):
still remains a mystery.
A moving tribute at sea frommother to son for Alexander
Gench, posted on YouTube byfamily and friends.
The 27-year-old's mysteriousdeath now being investigated
after he was found dead at hisin-law's Sylmar home.
But it was hours before anyonecalled 911.
The LA County Coroner's Officesays Alexander's in-laws saw the

(36:32):
27-year-old asleep in his bedon Monday, july 2nd around 9 am.
Twelve hours later, around 9 pm, he hadn't moved, but no one
checked on him.
The next morning hisfather-in-law did check and
found Alexander unresponsive.
The father-in-law took a childto school.
When he returned home hefinally called 911.

(36:52):
In this particular case, there was some information that we
received that we were lookinginto, along with the fact that
we've had other family membersprovide information or question
his death.

ABC7 News (37:11):
Can we talk to you guys about Alexander?
No one at the in-laws' homewould talk to us about
Alexander's death.
The 27-year-old's father isHebergench, the president of the
Church of ScientologyInternational.
Hebergench hasn't been seen inpublic for years, but at the
height of his influence in thechurch he was often seen in the
company of high-profile memberslike John Travolta.
Alexander's mother, karen de laCarriere, left the church and

(37:35):
says her son then disconnectedfrom her.
Disconnected is a termScientologists use to describe
the decision to cut themselvesoff from loved ones who leave
the church.
She says when her son died shewasn't allowed to see his body
and has many questions about hisdeath.

Karen de la Carriere (37:51):
Why give the coroner smoke and mirrors
and blame it all on Alexander?
He was drinking, he was historyof over self-medicating, he did
this, he did that.
Oh, come on, it smells to highheaven.

ABC7 News (38:07):
Now the coroner's office says an autopsy has been
completed, but investigators areawaiting toxicology results
before determining an exactcause of death.
Leehan Suter, abc7 EyewitnessNews.

Abraham Aurich (38:18):
It's been reported that his in-laws made
calls to OSA the Office ofSpecial Affairs after they found
him unresponsive, but beforethey called 911.
His mother was shocked when shereceived a call from a stranger
to let her know that Alexanderhad been found dead in his bed
in the morning of July 3rd 2012.
She would later learn the nameof this stranger, aaron Smith

(38:40):
Levin, in Chris Shelton's videoAlexander Gensch A Scientology
Tragedy in 3X.
He presented the followingaudio from Ed Winter, assistant
Chief of Investigations from theLos Angeles Coroner's Office I
was the Assistant Chief.

Edward Winter (38:56):
I still am Assistant Chief of
Investigations.
I oversee all the deathinvestigations in LA County and
especially the high-profilecelebrities and politicians or
whatever.
On July 3rd we were advised ofa death at a private residence

(39:27):
in Selmar in the 13,700 block ofOro Grande Street.
According to the lawenforcement who reported, it is
that the decedent was last knownto be alive by his in-laws when
they left the residence for theday.

(39:49):
When they returned later heappeared to be in bed sleeping.
That was on the 2nd and on July3rd about 7.30, the decedent
was found unresponsive in hisbed by his father-in-law during
a welfare check in his bed byhis father-in-law during a

(40:10):
welfare check.
The father-in-law did not callfor paramedics, however, took
his son to school and thenreturned home and called
paramedics.
They responded and pronouncedhim deceased.
The decedent was AlexanderJentz.
We sent an investigator,responded and he was transported

(40:35):
back to our office.
There was an at-sceneinvestigation and an autopsy
performed and that's what ourinitial investigation was about.
Well, number one, when you havea 27-year-old male that passes

(40:57):
away and it's reported that hehad some sort of an accident and
was over-medicating due to atraffic accident, we wanted to
find out some additionalinformation and possibly medical

(41:19):
history.
And he was driven out fromTexas to California and,
according to the father-in-law,he complained of a having a head
cold which he tookover-the-counter medication.
So if you're taking overover-the-counter medication
along with back pain medication,there can be a reaction.

(41:41):
However, we weren't able to youconnect the dots, so to speak,
and supposedly when theparamedics were there,
medication was uncounted for,unaccounted for.
So we did have questions.
It also was strange that hisfather-in-law would drive

(42:04):
instead of calling paramedics.
In law would drive instead ofcalling paramedics when
somebody's in distress orunresponsive, why they'd leave,
drive the kid to school, a childto school, and then return
sometime later.
Found him at 7.30 and came backat 8.23.

(42:25):
That's a long time.
Back at 823, that's a long time.
So there was some questions andthen his mother contacted us,
contacted me, and was providinginformation, additional
information on his personalmedical issues and other issues.

(42:49):
We were able to do aninvestigation.
We found that after the autopsyhe had acquired pneumonia and
was using methadone and tooksome additional drugs.
A couple, couple things Hiswife and him are separated, his

(43:13):
wife is not there at the houseand he's staying with his
father-in-law.
Then, as this investigationproceeded.
We reached out to the Church ofScientology and got no response
.
Tried to talk to the wife andwhen we called the house the

(43:38):
father-in-law would say ìSheísnot there, sheís unavailable,
and she wouldnít talk to usî.
And then I was contacted by anattorney for the church that
wanted to have informationremoved from the report.

(44:02):
You know, sometimes we get that.
But we had this attorney thatcomplained that the mother is
making allegations and postingon the Internet that Jeff did
not call paramedics right awayand she requested a sentence be

(44:23):
changed in the report as it isnot accurate.
And we told her hey, the reportstands as is.
I know that during the initialpart of the investigation we
attempted to have RiversideCounty sheriffs make contact
with his father to notify himand the sheriffs called us.

(44:44):
They went out to Gold Base andwere not granted entry and we're
told that they would notify MrJentz about his son's death.

Abraham Aurich (44:56):
The toxicology report states that Alex had a
mixture of medications in hissystem at the time of his death.
At the scene as well, officersrecovered an assortment of
medication.
Well, officers recovered anassortment of medication
including meloxicam andgabapentin, hydrocodone,

(45:19):
acetaminophen, methadone,prilosec, sudafed and Vixniquel.
Had Alex gone to an emergencyroom or taken to a doctor for
his fever and other symptoms anddiagnosed correctly, it could
have saved his life.

Karen de la Carriere (45:27):
You know, I might be one of the few people
in the world that found outthat my son was dead by a
Facebook message from a stranger.
My 27-year-old son was lying inthe Los Angeles morgue, a dead
body with a toe tag, and theChurch of Scientology that I

(45:52):
slaved for and contributed tofor 35 years did not pick up the
phone and tell me that my sonwas dead.

Abraham Aurich (46:02):
His mother was not allowed to see her son one
last time, nor did she receiveany of his ashes.
She held the memorial forAlexander aboard a yacht off the
coast of California.
Let's examine this clip fromKaren De La Carrier speaking
about her son at his memorialservice.

Karen de la Carriere (46:19):
Alexander.
Many people have said what wasAlexander like and I think this
story will tell you whatAlexander was like.
When I came out of the SeaOrganization in 1990, alexander
was six years old and we werewatching a CNN show where these

(46:40):
Mexican orphans were in alandfill looking for rubbish to
sell for two cents to eat andAlexander was horrified.
He was only six years old buthe forced me to drive him to
Tijuana, south of San Diego twoand a half hours there and back

(47:03):
to give the Mexican children hisold toys and money and clothes.
We had a glorious day.
We went to two Tijuanaorphanages and we gave from our
hearts money and toys andAlexander hugged these orphans

(47:24):
and I thought to myself he'sonly six years old and he cares
for third-world country orphansand I realized Alexander had a
big heart.

Abraham Aurich (47:35):
His father, old and frail at the time of
Alexander's death, was living atScientology's Gold Base in
Hemet, California.
During the initial part of theinvestigation, Edward Winter at
the LA coroner's office saidthey attempted to have the
Riverside Sheriff's Office makecontact with Heber to notify him
of Alexander's passing.
The sheriffs went out to GoldBase and were not granted entry.

(47:59):
They were told that they wouldnotify Mr Gensch of his son's
death.

Sandi Mckenna (48:04):
Thank you for joining us on this deep dive
into the life of Heber Gensch, aman whose journey from devout
Mormon to a central figure inScientology reveals the complex
and often dark intersections offaith, power and control.
From his early years shaped bythe teachings of the LDS Church
to his ascent in the world ofjournalism and acting, and

(48:26):
ultimately to his controversialtenure as the president of the
Church of ScientologyInternational, heber's story is
one of ambition and adaptability, yet it is also a tale marked
by personal tragedy and powerstruggles and a dramatic fall
from grace.
We've explored the significantchapters of his life, from the
pivotal role in Scientology'spublic relations efforts to the

(48:50):
harsh realities of hisconfinement in the hole.
We delved into theheartbreaking story of his son,
alexander, whose life anduntimely death cast a haunting
shadow over Huber's legacy.
Huber Gensche's life is atestament to the powerful and
often perilous journey withinScientology's ranks.
It serves as a stark reminderof the human cost associated

(49:13):
with the pursuit of power andcontrol within secretive
organizations.
As we close on this episode, wereflect on the intricate web of
Heber's life, a story thatcontinues to resonate within the
annals of Scientology's history.
The complexities andcontroversies surrounding his
story are emblematic of thebroader issues that we continue

(49:35):
to explore in this series.

Abraham Aurich (49:37):
Next time, on the Sins of Scientology, we
delve into the tragic and deeplyunsettling case of Lisa
McPherson, a dedicatedScientologist whose untimely
death raised alarming questionsabout the church's practices and
internal policies.
Join us as we explore anduncover the haunting story of
Lisa McPherson, from her journeywithin Scientology to the

(50:00):
mysterious circumstances leadingtoward her death and the
ensuing legal battles thatexposed the controversial
methods of this organization, astory that still today continues
to echo in the halls ofScientology and beyond.
Don't miss this gripping andheartbreaking story.
Until next time, keepquestioning, keep seeking, and

(50:21):
may your journey be as rich andenlightening as the stories you
encounter.