Troubling New Allegations Surface After Scientology Doctor Dad of ‘RHONY’ Star Rebecca Minkoff Sued for Alleged Misdiagnosis in Whitney Mills Suicide Case: Lawsuit

A Doctor Linked to Scientology Added to Whitney Mills’ Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In a shocking twist, Dr. David Minkoff, a well-known Scientologist and father of RHONY star Rebecca Minkoff, has been summoned into the lawsuit surrounding the tragic death of Whitney Mills. This development arises just over two years after Mills reportedly took her own life on May 13, 2022.

According to recent court filings disclosed by RadarOnline.com, the revised lawsuit points to new allegations and identifies Dr. Minkoff and his Clearwater, Florida clinic, LifeWorks Wellness Center, as key defendants. Originally, six Church of Scientology entities were named in the suit, but the latest updates highlight the critical role Dr. Minkoff and his facility allegedly played in Mills’ care prior to her death.

Dr. Minkoff, a prominent figure within Scientology and co-founder of LifeWorks, carries a controversial reputation. He was implicated in the 1995 case concerning Lisa McPherson, another Scientologist whose unexpected death while in the church’s care raised eyebrows. Although Dr. Minkoff had never interacted with McPherson, distressing details emerged revealing that he prescribed sedatives over the phone to church staff overseeing her situation. That case ultimately led to a $100,000 settlement and sanctions against him, including a suspension of his medical license. Despite this history, Dr. Minkoff continued to practice and treat patients within the church, including Mills.

Documents from the lawsuit detail Mills’ harrowing final days, indicating that on May 12, 2022, she suffered a severe crisis, attempting self-immolation before inflicting a gunshot wound. Whitney had joined Scientology in 2007 and made rapid progress, achieving the lofty level of OT 8 by 2019. However, her mental state began deteriorating drastically in late 2021, marked by overwhelming anxiety and debilitating symptoms.

The amended lawsuit exposes the depth of Mills’ treatment at LifeWorks, where she had first become a patient in 2015. Since 2017, she received multiple physical diagnoses, including ovarian cysts. Alarmingly, despite her escalating mental health issues—such as severe anxiety and hallucinations—Dr. Minkoff and his clinic continued to pursue physical diagnoses instead of addressing the evident psychological distress.

As the situation spiraled, treatment plans prescribed by Dr. Minkoff involved unconventional alternatives like ivermectin and unapproved experimental therapies instead of conventional psychiatric care. Mills often communicated her struggles and the ineffectiveness of her treatments to Dr. Minkoff, yet his responses tended to minimize her concerns and reinforce Scientological beliefs rather than prioritize her psychological needs.

The allegations against Dr. Minkoff and LifeWorks mark a noteworthy transition in the wrongful death claim. While earlier filings focused on the influence of Scientology advisors in Mills’ downfall, the current complaint delves into how the purported inadequacies in her medical care directly impacted her tragic outcome.

If you or someone you know is facing a crisis, immediate assistance is available. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support.