Scientologist set herself on fire and shot herself after being told to 'drop the body'

A scientologist set fire to herself and shot herself dead after being told to 'drop the body'.

Whitney Mills, from Clearwater in Florida, shot herself after believing she was facing significant health issues and would be able to 'transfer to a new body.'

Mills, 40, had reportedly been diagnosed with Lyme disease and also had a mass on one of her ovaries that she refused to have removed.

On the day of her death, her friends requested a welfare check after she stopped answering her phone.

Mills brother forced his way into her apartment, he found her suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and noticed the smell of burning hair, indicating that she had set herself on fire before shooting herself.

Clearwater Police found there were no suspicious circumstances.

The exterior of the Scientology building on Fountain Avenue, East Hollywood which serves as the groups west coast headquarters (Hulton Archive)

When a Scientologist 'drops the body,' it is believed that their spirit, or 'thetan,' will continue to exist and can potentially occupy a new physical body in the future.

Police later found a text message she sent to Albertina Mejias, a fellow high-ranking member of the Scientology Church, outlining 'advice' as to what she might do next, reports the Mail Online.

Referring to what she believed to be the onset of Lyme disease she texted: "I wish it wasn't in my brain. It's so annoying that I have it so bad, and so bad mentally."

The 40-year-old had reportedly been diagnosed with Lyme disease (instagram.com/whitneyjmills)

She also had a mass on one of her ovaries that she refused to have removed (instagram.com/whitneyjmills)

Scientology is a set of beliefs and practices invented by American author L. Ron Hubbard, and an associated movement. It has been variously defined as a cult, a business, or a new religious movement.

In another message, Mills then states how she was told by Albertina [Mejias] that 'there's an assist for someone that is really sick and to drop the body. I asked for that assist.'

An assist is a type of spiritual counselling or therapy that is intended to help a person overcome physical or emotional difficulties or injuries.

It is based on the belief that the human mind and spirit are capable of healing the body, and that the process of healing can be facilitated through spiritual guidance and counselling.

A spokesman for the Church said: "There is no Scientology belief to encourage anyone to drop their body."

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