Sometimes when investigating cryptids, it’s not how you ask but who and what you are asking about that gets some more insightful answers. It was a good day in the Pinky expedition journey.

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, besides checking out more wildlife along the St. Johns River and at the Zoological Park of Sanford, I had a major investigative breakthrough.

Cryptomundo.com » Pinky Expedition: Investigative Breakthrough

He endured death threats and smear campaigns. He worked for a brief time in his younger days as a male prostitute, and flyers with this information were posted all over town. He was undeterred by these tactics. You can read more about him here. You can also see Lonsdale featured in a BBC documentary about Scientology, including a scene in which uberhandler Tommy Davis rushes onto the scene to make sure that reporter John Sweeney knows about Lonsdale’s minor criminal convictions. The link takes you to a compilation video of what Sweeney endured in filming his documentary. Lonsdale’s bit starts at around 2:45.)

And now, one week after the most widespread anti-Scientology action in history, he is dead from what police are calling an “apparent suicide.”

Read More:

Dream’s End » Suspicious Death of Scientology Critic Shawn Lonsdale

[Photo: Douglas R. Clifford | Times (2006)]

Shawn Lonsdale documents people in downtown Clearwater while filming as part of his “cult watch.” From hours and hours of footage of Scientology buildings, staff, security guards and verbal confrontations, he made a film that aired on local cable television.

Northpinellas: Scourge of Scientology dies in apparent suicide