I got the devastating news yesterday that my very good friend Christine Maggiore died at home on December 27th, from a bout of bilateral bronchial pneumonia, that afflicted her in recent weeks, and which she was unable to overcome.
The news has been shattering to all who loved her around the world. Speaking for myself, I can say that Christine Maggiore was one of the strongest, most ethical, compassionate, intelligent, brave, funny, and decent human beings I have ever had the honor to know. I spoke to her in great depth about all aspects of life, death, love, and this battle we both found ourselves mired in, and I will be writing about her and about those conversations here, in the future. No matter what she was going through, and it was always, frankly, sheer hell–every day of her life, since 2005, she faced, acute grief, sadistic persecution, wild injustice, relentless battle, and deep betrayal–she was always there for her friends, and she never descended to human ugliness. She always tried to take the high road. She always tried to be stronger than any human being could ever be asked to be. I feared for her life, always. I feared the battle would kill her, as I have felt it could kill me, if I couldn’t find enough beauty to offset the malevolence. This is a deeply occult battle, and Christine got caught in its darkest shadows.
Here below is the letter that Christine’s husband Robin Scovill sent out:
Dear Friends,
It is with deep sorrow that I tell you my wife, Christine Maggiore died unexpectedly on December 27th. She leaves behind our son, Charlie and the memory of our daughter, Eliza Jane.
Christine was a beacon of hope for many people whose lives, like her own, had been turned upside down by an HIV positive diagnosis. When she received this devastating label in 1992, Christine—in spite of predictions that she had five years to live—did not give up, but devoted her life to helping others. For several years she was a public speaker for AIDS Project Los Angeles, LA Shanti Foundation and was a founding board member of Women At Risk. It was in the process of trying to find a doctor that she felt comfortable dying with that Christine starting getting conflicting information from AIDS experts, particularly troubling in the search to save her own life. One doctor in particular suggested that Christine retest and she finally did, testing HIV negative, positive and indeterminate over a dozen times in subsequent months. She was shocked. Christine took her questions and confusion to the very AIDS organizations that she was helping to build and their unanimous dismissal of her inquiries forced Christine to look outward. This series of events profoundly shook her faith in mainstream AIDS beliefs and sent her down a rabbit hole of exploration that would challenge everything that she had been lead to believe.
Over the subsequent years, Christine’s research put her in touch with people all over the world whose work and commitment to open dialog and debate caused her to rethink everything she had been taught to teach others about HIV and AIDS. Most importantly, it led her to question the absolute assertion that an HIV positive diagnosis meant she had to die.
In 1995, Christine set out to assemble a three-fold brochure outlining a series of facts that had been most compelling in her search for truth. That brochure turned into the first incarnation of her seminal book, What If Everything You Thought You Knew About AIDS Was Wrong? It took Christine years to unearth the many studies, writings and facts that began to alleviate the shame and terror of her HIV diagnosis. Her desire was to create something concise and informative and empowering that she could give to others who had received a similar diagnosis and who were ashamed and terrified and alone.
Christine’s book—now in it’s 4th edition— has been translated into seven languages; her monumental work with her non-profit organization, Alive and Well AIDS Alternatives, has redefined what we think about AIDS; and her tireless communications, writings and pod casts have touched thousands of lives around the world and continue to provide a beacon of hope for anyone who lives in fear of AIDS.
In spite of Christine’s strength, she was also under tremendous pressure and scrutiny. She often felt that she wasn’t allowed to get sick like other people. After her daughter died in 2005 of an allergic reaction to an antibiotic for an ear infection, the LA County Coroner—ignoring evidence to the contrary—declared it a death from AIDS and Christine’s suffering increased horribly. She was vilified in the world media and harassed by outspoken opponents of her work who openly gloated that this was her just comeuppance. She and her family endured a yearlong criminal investigation that not only terrorized them, but also robbed them of an opportunity to mourn the loss of their daughter. That loss was twisted into sensationalized and mean spirited television episodes that portrayed Christine as a quack and a murderer and ultimately as dead. Christine never fully recovered from the unjust treatment that she received around the loss of Eliza Jane and that treatment ultimately exhausted her.
A week and a half ago, Christine was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and did not conjure the strength to overcome it. She died unexpectedly in her home with her husband and a dear friend. Christine Maggiore’s death is a shock and devastating blow to her family and to the thousands of people around the world who loved and respected her.
For anyone who lives in fear of an HIV or AIDS diagnosis, Christine’s legacy will live on. She was committed to sharing vital facts and essential dialog that would give HIV positive people everywhere the chance to consider a destiny that differs from the one of death and despair that they are taught to expect. For that she was loved.
Christine will be deeply missed.
A memorial will be planned within the next couple of weeks but please join us at our home tonight (Tuesday Dec. 30) for an informal gathering of friends and family. Please bring your musical instruments.
We are gathering from 1pm today well into the night.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 23 comments }
I am saddened to hear this.Â
My sister was diagnosed with pneumonia last week. Â She spent 3 days in the hospital, but is now on her way to recovery at home. Â Hers was apparently bacterial, and some massive antibiotics turned the tide for her.Â
On a coincidental note, one thing that jumped out at me is that my sister was also a couple days into one of those “cleansing fast†things. Her Dr said that it’s generally not a good idea to start something like that when the body is in the midst of fighting off an infection.  But on a positive note in her case, it was mostly likely symptoms from dehydration caused by the fast that actually drove her to the emergency room, where they discovered the pneumonia. Â
Since my own Mom very nearly died recently of pneumonia, this one really hit home for me.
I didn’t know Christine well, but she was alwayd kind, friendly, and gracious. I can’t imagine what Robin and Charlie are going through.
Christine was truly a heroine of our age.
Her determination and commitment were inspiring. Her meticulous caution and her measured public statements on HIV/AIDS were admirable, and counterpointed the often-hysterical pronouncements of her detractors.
She faced the untimely loss of her beautiful, young daughter Eliza Jane and the subsequent unfounded campaign against her with a courage that took our breath away.
Her achievements in standing up for the right of those labelled with the catch-all diagnosis of AIDS to get medical treatment free from vested financial and medical interests, will in the fullness of time be widely celebrated.
But, knowing Christine, she would have little time for sentimentalism over her death. She would have no truck with any slacking in a campaign whose heavy toll certainly contributed to her demise. And we know what she would want us to do.
Very well then, Christine. We will continue in the spirit which you demonstrated and with our best efforts to match your courage and steadfastness.
You set a high standard, didn’t you?
Congratulations.Â
Now that’s what I call: a Life!
Reading back through what I said earlier, I don’t think I made one point clear enough.
 My sister never showed an inkling of HIV infection. But still, pneumonia brought her close to the brink.
 Pneumonia can kill anyone, with or without HIV.Â
I pray she is with the angels now. Her persona reminded me much of my late sister.
This music was played at my sister’s request for her own funeral.
I realized that I never truly understood “My Way” before. Thanks for that.
And one thing; Celia wrote “She had been HIV positive since 1990″. Christine just tested positive in a non-specific test in 1990, nothing more. What is “HIV”? What is “HIV positive”?
I have been upset over this news all day.  I feel like she was my leader and a mentor. I never had the pleasure of meeting Christine, but i talked to her on the phone a few times. It was because of her that I started my journey into healing naturally and healed myself. Now I have a website and new dreams for the future, all because Christine took the time to share with me. She was indeed a remarkable women and trail blazer for a movement that I hope we can carry on in her name.
‘"Our children have excellent records of health," Maggiore said on the Air America program when asked about 7-year-old Charlie and 3-year-old Eliza Jane Scovill. "They’ve never had respiratory problems, flus, intractable colds, ear infections, nothing. So, our choices, however radical they may seem, are extremely well-founded."
Seven weeks later, Eliza Jane was dead.
The cause, according to a Sept. 15 report by the Los Angeles County coroner, was AIDS-related pneumonia.‘
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-christine-maggiore24-2005sep24,0,7927684.story
Dear Dean,
Thank you so much for posting this and many thanks to Celia Farber and Robin Scovil. I found out about her untimely passing from a friend who warned me about the LA times article. That was the only article I could find and now I am so grateful to have found your blog and of course to Celia Farber for writing the article and for Robin’s letter.
In 1999 I had the absolute privilege of working for Christine Maggiore at her Alive and Well office and got to know here also on a personal level. She is one of the most amazing people I have met.
Ms Farber has already stated my exact sentiments, “..Christine Maggiore was one of the strongest, most ethical, compassionate, intelligent, brave, funny, and decent human beings I have ever had the honour to know.â€
I also want to add that she was one of the best parents I have seen and as her office was at her house during the time I worked for her therefore I spent a lot of time with her family. Her patience, kindness, dedication and sacrifice never ceased to impress me as she ALWAYS put the needs of young Charlie first.
My sincere, deep and heartfelt condolences to Robin and Charlie and the entire Maggiore family. I hope they know that Christine left a significant impression in my life and is someone who I have have always thought about and always will. I have learned so much from her in the short time that I spent with her. Christine is one of my heroes and my life is better for knowing her.
The child never tested positive for HIV, Rune, not even in the autopsy. Instead, once the coroner found out it was Christine, they simply declared it to be AIDS even though all the symptoms the child showed looked like a pretty simple case of an allergic reaction to penicillin.
The child was perfectly healthy with no issues at all until she got an earache and sniffles. The autopsy even confirmed that at the the time of death, the child’s leukocyte count was elevated–if she had a suppressed immune system, it wouldn’t have been. Also, if her immune system was depressed, she shouldn’t have had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic.
So unless you’re saying that "AIDS" is now defined as the *possible* presence of HIV in your mother’s body, and that typically a child with AIDS is perfectly healthy, then one day gets the sniffles and an earache and dies suddenly–with symptoms identical to an allergic reaction to penicillin–then, there’s far more to explain than what you’re pointing to here.
I’m going to have to do more reading on this but from what I’ve gathered she sounds exactly like the anti-vaccination nutjobs.
Oh, and Dean,
The determination of antibiotic allergic reaction was to amoxicillin not penicillin, and the doctor who concluded that did not examine the patient and her symptons he read the autopsy report. Plus he was an HIV/AIDS denialist.
So, on the one hand, you have a certified doctor whose job depends on him listing accurately the cause of death vs. a veterinary toxicologist who has a strong ideological interest in branding it the other way determining a counter cause of death based on what he read on a piece of paper.
Can we get any more nutty?
It was not pneumonia. Christine was taken by an ancient foe, an aged pestilence. Peer long enough and you will see it, as Celia has: "This is a deeply occult battle." We have so corrupted our healing arts, our sciences, knowledge itself, that it is no exaggeration to say that there has never been a darker or more superstitious civilization than the one we live in, and that Christine was once our Galileo and is now, sadly, our Bruno.
More nutty? Yes, trusting the opinions of a physician over a veterinary toxicologist (pathologist?).  After teaching pharmacology in med school for 5 years, I’d trust the opinions of the janitor before I’d trust the opinions of a physician. On the other hand, having worked very closely with veterinary toxicologists (and pathologists) for over 15 years, I’d have to say that I’d trust the vet more. Oh, and Scott, I’d expect you to disagree, being the government informed citizen you appear to be.
Consider the very esprit of this class act sentence: "Plus, he was an AIDS denialist."
Just as there is no such thing as a "nigger" there is no such thing as an "AIDS denialist" other than a measure of hate, fear, phobia, and primitivism in the heart of whoever used the word. If those who take the position that the HIV/AIDS theory is whistle-clean, functioning, consistent, and solid were so sure they were right, they’d obviously not have to descend to the use of a de-humanizing spray-button that does the work, through prejudice and fear, that they don’t want to burden their actual souls with.
If you go to http://www.aidsmythexposed.com, you can see for yourself hundreds of people around the world who write in discuss with one another the intense journey of being HIV positive, marked for death, and trying to find ways to strengthen the body, cast off the death sentence, transcend the stigma, survive the hate they encounter when friends and loved ones discover they don’t believe HIV necessarily will kill them, make the right choices about treatment vs. non treatment, and most importantly, how to become and remain human in the face of such overwhelming hatred–the kind that flashed in Scott’s comments.Â
In all diseases, people take different routes. In all diseases, people factor in the deeper reasons why they got sick, how the mind affects the illness, how to walk the line between toxic treatments that "work" and those that do not.Â
Nobody denies the existence of AIDS–a fairly crude word used to describe an array of problems that arise when the body becomes weakened and depleted, and immunity is lowered. Speaking for myself, after 22 years, I am still unclear what the definition IS.
When Christine’s daughter E.J. died, after a flu, with her eyes open, in cardiac arrest, after a short but healthy life, after taking an antibiotic, and with an immune system that was intact, as measured by her high level of total lymphocyte counts, (between 10,000 and 14,000) and no HIV positive test result (her blood was corrupted) and when her older brother tests negative to this day (would HIV skip one child and infect only the second one?) and when Christine dies in her sleep after a short battle with bronchial pneumonia and nothing at all is known about her immune system status, I simply have to say that I am very confused about what it means anymore to say that a person died of "AIDS."
AIDS, when I began writing about it, in 1986, was a slow, extreme, devastating disease, that did not strike people dead all of a sudden like this. It took time. It took time to develop opportunistic infections (Christine, in 16 years, never had one,) the collapse of the immune system was slow, and the illnesses that manifested were fairly consistent.
When detractors of AIDS skeptics shout "AIDS!" at every turn, they are just reinforcing their superstitious, sloppy, unscientific, and non-rational approach to a profoundly complex set of medical questions.
An honest person might say: If E.J. had an intact immune system, by WHO standards (total lymphocyte count) and never tested positive, then we can’t say she died of AIDS, even if we hate her mother.Â
About Christine, an honest person would say: "I will refrain from comment, no matter how much the urge to lord my superior morality and intellect overwhelms me, until I have some information about her immune system, lymphocyte counts, CD4 cells, Â exact cause of death, etc. " This would show the rest of us that the person does not wish to win dishonestly, but wishes for truth. It would also suggest an absence of malice.
Now, regarding the credibility of LA Country Coroner James Ribe, I am staggered by Scott’s comment. Scott, you must not have made yourself aware of the fact that Ribe is a widely discredited coroner against whom a massive, bulging dossier of complaints, lawsuits, etc, exists, and who has been shamed repeatedly in and out of court, including having to admit that he made egregious errors in autopsies that sent innocent parents to prison who were later released when the cases were re-examined. Christine used to call me and tell me about these shocking violations Ribe had committed, and being Christine, she never said anything without documenting it first.Â
Ribe was scheduled to be cross-examined within two days of Christine’s death, in a lawsuit the family had brought against the LA County Coroner’s office, for their gross mismanagement in the handling of E.J.’s autopsy. Two short facts: The first autopsy found no cause of death. When Ribe was brought in, it took him a few months to construct an "AIDS" death for Eliza Jane. Â That secondary interpretation, which drove Christine’s critics so wild with lust, was actually handed over to the L.A. Times before it was given to Christine and Robin. Yes I am serious. Christine got a call from an L.A. Times reporter who asked her to comment on her daughter’s death from AIDS. She said: "I don’t even know what you are talking about."
It would be days before the family got their own copy.
If that, to you, does not reek of foul play, if that is what respectability looks like, then I suggest you are overly devoted to your guiding ideologies and can’t think straight.
A terrible loss. I will miss Christine, but I will never forget her.
I generally respond to the phrase "AIDS denialist" with exactly the retort it deserves: "go fuck yourself, asshole."
Celia’s right. The very use of the phrase is to employ anti-intellectual, hateful slander.
I had the pleasure of knowing Christine for many years, studied alongside her, shared the podium on several occasions, witnessed her joyous union with Robin, birth of her children and other fond memories. Beyond doubt, my memories of her are centered around her generous spirit, selfless commitment, humility and passionate advocacy for the truths that she was continuously uncovering.
As one of the few black voices dissenting from the shady science of the AIDS establishment, (too few of which were of African heritage) I appreciated that she could comprehend the vile undercurrent of racism that had permeated the manner in which this pandemic has been presented to the world. I often pointed out to Christine how the forces of racist propaganda, eugenics and population control were primary motivations among some of the agencies that were foisting this STD scam on the world.
Christine Maggiore always listened carefully to the way that I laid out my arguments with a sense of new discovery and expressions of support that let me know that she truly did understand this angle of analysis. She consistently demonstrated a strong sense of curiosity and natural logic.
The two men in her life, Robin and Charlie, now have an even stronger mission and challenge to serve as their life’s foundation.Â
Brothers, be extremely grateful that you had your wife/mother and daughter/sister there for you for the all too short period of their lives. Realize now that you have a truly divine mission to protect and advance the sacredness of womanhood with the very essence of your manhood. Femininity is now absolutely sacred for you and you must never lose a battle when the integrity of women’s lives are at stake.
As a cherished spirit soul, Christine sits above our shoulders with her playful sense of humor, constant expression of enjoying having too much work to do, and gentle grace by which she committed herself to her fellow humans. All of us who knew her well know just how good a person she was. On the battlefield and off, she was the ideal ally and her inspiration will continue to serve us. We can step up our battle to the next level now using her unselfish example as perfect inspiration.
Christine Maggiore, may your name live on for 10 thousand years.
Christine Maggiore did
NOTÂ have AIDS PneumoniaÂ
Fintan Dunne presents some compelling evidence that recently deceased Christine Maggiore was very unlikely to have had AIDS-related PCP Pneumonia, contrary to widspread speculation on the Internet.
LISTEN : http://AidsIsOver.com/audio/aidsisover090102.mp3Â
Christine’s healthy respiratory function in an audio recorded just weeks prior to her death belies implications drawn from the L.A. coroner’s office statement asserting she had been treated for pneumonia in the previous six months.
Evidence indicates Magiore was pneumonia-free as late as 10th December, making it extremely unlikely she suffered a fatal AIDS-related pneumonia in a mere 17 days up to the date of her death at home on the 27th December, 2008.
Furthermore, it is very rare for a person to die of pneumonia at home. The symptoms of a severe pneumonia, including dry or wet cough, fever and/or progressive shortness of breath mean that a pneumonia patient invariably shows up in ER suffering from overwhelming respiratory distress, well before a life-threatening circulatory failure.
This latest evidence indicates it would be prudent not to form conclusions as to the true cause of her death because of the significantly atypical circumstances.
This latest evidence indicates it would be prudent not to form conclusions as to the true cause of her death because of the significantly atypical circumstances.
(Fintan in London — with the pre-autopsy skinny on the
realun-cause of demise of the late decedant).Dear Fintan,
Have you bothered to check out:
Here:
Wherein the commentor, Hanna writes:
"Maggiore sent email (see DeanEsmay website) on December 19th:
"I lost my appetite almost completely about 10 days ago and for some weird reason could only tolerate hot tea and hot chicken broth……Then I started to have trouble breathing, I was feeling winded after the most simple task like making the bed."
Seems odd she herself describes "feeling winded" on what would be 12/9 – the day before you describe her as "pneumonia-symptom free."
Develop a timeline around Christine’s email and you’ll see she not only has symptoms of pneumonia for weeks before her death but she was unable to eat, had weakness, difficulty sleeping and when she was diagnosed with "a very serious case of bi-lateral bronchial pneumonia," she expressed no distrust in the diagnosis or apprehension to be treated for it. …"
Hey – thanks for this article.  I was wondering if maybe you could remove Christine, Robin, and Charlie’s actual street address as I don’t think it’s relevant and could be kind of an invasion of their privacy right now.   I’m very very sad about this news.  Also I’d love to know how to get in touch with Celia Farber.  Celia if you read this, please contact me at mauichurch@gmail.com  Thanks – Liam   Love you Christine  -Â
Celia, your essay brought tears to my eyes as you conveyed your deep friendship with Christine. Although, I only knew her "indirectly", I feel that a close friend has been ripped out of my life.
Christine Maggiore was a brilliant, brave & lovely woman who will be sorely missed.  She had to battle a great deal of hatred, prejudice and false accusations. I note that she apparently died of pneumonia, for which, according to AIDS dissident Louise L. Hay, the underlying condition is often "desperation, tired of life, emotional wounds that are not allowed to heal." Rest in peace, Christine.  Â
Comments on this entry are closed.