McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

Related Photos

  • Gabriel Graves.jpg

    WEIRNINCK

  • Stacy Dawn Murphy Reader photo

    Stacy Dawn Murphy

Related Links

October 24, 2012

Another wrongful death lawsuit filed against Narconon Arrowhead

By Jeanne LeFlore Staff Writer

McALESTER — Another wrongful death lawsuit was filed today against Narconon Arrowhead in Pittsburg County Court.

Shirley Gilliam, the mother of Gabriel Graves — found dead at the facility in 2011, filed the wrongful death lawsuit today in PIttsburg County Court.
This is second wrongful death suit filed against facility this month. Earlier this month another wrongful death lawsuit against Narconon Arrowhead was filed on behalf of Robert Murphy and Tonya White, parents of Stacy Dawn Murphy, 20, of Owasso, who was found dead in the facility's withdrawal unit in July. 
Gary Richardson the attorney for Gilliam and the Murphy family said the two deaths are similar.
“Circumstances of the deaths of Gabriel Graves and Stacy Murphy have numerous similarities,”Richard son said. “Both of these young adults were addicted to drugs and were introduced to Narconon when they sought treatment. They and their parents were provided misleading information on the Narconon website and by Narconon representatives, which led them to believe that Narconon Arrowhead would be a safe and effective treatment facility.”
Located in Canadian, Narconon Arrowhead is a nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation program based on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology. 
Meanwhile the defendants in the lawsuit filed today are Narconon of Oklahoma  d/b/a Narconon Arrowhead, an Oklahoma corporation; Narconon International , a foreign corporation based in California; Association for Better Living and  Education International, a foreign corporation based in California; and Gerald D. Wootan, DO, M.Ed., medical director of Narconon of Oklahoma.
The wrongful death lawsuit alleges negligence and violation of the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act.

Calls to Narconon Arrowhead were not returned at presstime today.

Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com. 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
Seasonal Content
AP Video
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
NDN Video
Massive Flooding in San Antonio Area; Rescue Efforts Underway Hope For The Boy Who Can't Smile Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Young protestor goes viral on Youtube High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head Maine island offers lighthouse getaway Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell Should We Prepare for Quakes? Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York Singer Psy Has An Imposter
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.