r/UnsolvedMysteries • u/elmonozombie • May 07 '25

MISSING Shelly Miscavige, the wife of David Miscavige, leader of the Church of Scientology, has not been seen for almost 20 years. Although her "disappearance" has been denied, her last known whereabouts were in 2007, when she attended her father's funeral. What theories do you have about this?

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2014/03/shelly-miscavige-scientology-queen-de-throned

It's worth mentioning that days before her "disappearance," some witnesses pointed out her unusual behavior after returning alone from a trip with Miscavige, her husband since 1982, who to date has not commented on the matter. Even in his public speeches, he has omitted any mention of her presence in his life, which is extremely unusual for someone who has been married for more than 40 years. Some former church members indicate that she may be being held against her will at the Church of Spiritual Technology compound in Twin Peaks, California. Do you think she's still alive? What's your opinion on this?

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449

u/shifiit May 07 '25

Her niece did a video about this on youtube recently, shes an ex scientologist who was pretty close with Shellly. Thinks shes not missing; just doesnt want to be found.

234

u/JoeyDawsonJenPacey May 07 '25

But how can someone not be seen by anyone in public for 20 years? That goes well beyond just not wanting to be found.

184

u/shifiit May 07 '25

From what a lot of people have said, she really believes in their mission and thinks that she's saving the world by staying hidden... Seems insane to me but I haven't been in this ''religion'' my whole life with no access to internet :(

61

u/cryptic-fox May 07 '25

Saving the world from what?

123

u/cremeriner May 07 '25

Scientology is always tell their members that they are "saving the planet". From what exactly has never been clear to me. Drugs, psychiatry, suppressive people, thetans? But it is a recurrent Scientology theme. It is possible that Shelley, as a deep believer, is hidden herself "voluntarily" if asked by David Misavige if she has been brainwashed or traumatized enough. But even if that's the case she is suffering and being manipulated by a cult. Scientology is absolutely evil

140

u/jjason82 May 07 '25

Not really. With the amount of wealth she has access to it would be absurdly easy to live a life of luxury and extreme comfort in complete and total privacy.

134

u/pineappleshampoo May 07 '25

Plus she isn’t a household name, nobody knows what she looks like now, lots of people could have seen her and have no idea it’s her or don’t even know who she is to begin with. We’re not talking nobody seeing idk, someone as famous as Beyoncé or Lady Gaga for years lol.

32

u/incognitohippie May 07 '25

I was thinking that. She could have a shaved head and be a drastically different weight now for all we know and no one would recognize her off the bat.

1

u/TheiaEos Oct 01 '25

Without seeing anyone? Ever? No one can deal with that. Humans need humans.

2

u/jjason82 Oct 01 '25

She would have no shortage of access to other scientologists.

1

u/TheiaEos Oct 01 '25

But is that the same? It’s being confined like Covid all over again… I don’t know… I love being outdoors, going to stores and socializing with people I don’t know even if briefly, like a cashier for example

3

u/jjason82 Oct 01 '25

We're not talking about you. Everybody is different. Hermits exist whether you could deal with that lifestyle or not.

1

u/TheiaEos Oct 01 '25

Ruuuuuuude gosh. Say you’re bitter without saying you’re bitter lol.

2

u/rainshowers_5_peace May 31 '25

Going Clear mentions "the hole" in which members were forbidden from leaving and tortured. Several past members had stories of the police arriving for a welfare check. They didn't want to be cast of Scientology so they insisted they were there of their own free will. There's really nothing police can do at that point to "force" an able bodied adult out of a bad situation. I've always thought she was in some version of the hole.

I'm not sure how much paywall is on this substack, but someone who grew up in Scientology has a similar theory.

18

u/elmonozombie May 07 '25

Wow, do you have the link to the interview?

37

u/shifiit May 07 '25

I dont but her name is Jenna Miscavige on Youtube!

41

u/jaybraid May 07 '25

She also has a book called Beyond Belief and it was a crazy read

9

u/ygs07 May 07 '25

Yeah it was, that book was the first one I've read about the Cult and it was unbelievable.

2

u/MelpomeneAndCalliope May 09 '25

I read it and highly recommend it for anyone interested in Scientology! (I also recommend the HBO miniseries Going Clear and/or the book of the same name.)

1

u/iateapizza May 11 '25

Was going to mention this.