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Controversial Publicist Found Dead

Posted Sep 29th 2007 10:53AM by TMZ Staff

Publicist David Hans Schmidt, who plead guilty last month to attempting to extort Tom Cruise, was found dead of an apparent suicide in his Phoenix home on Friday.

Schmidt was under house arrest after agreeing to plead guilty to a $1 million extortion fiasco, using Tom Cruise's stolen wedding photos. According to the AP, authorities went to Schmidt's Phoenix home after a tracking device on him had not moved and he hadn't checked in, said police Lt. Anthony Lopez.

Schmidt is also known for an auction of Paris Hilton's diaries, and for representing Olympic scandal skater Tonya Harding and prostitute Divine Brown, who dallied with actor Hugh Grant. More recently, Schmidt said he was involved in Dustin "Screech" Diamond's nasty sex video.

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16. Suicide. Hmmm, seems to be a lot of that going around with people who piss off Scientologists. http://bittenandbound.com/2007/07/28/someone-should-really-investigate-this-whole-scientology-thing/

Posted at 1:08PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Andrea

17. How can you extort someone over wedding photos, anyhow? I think those pictures were of something far more sinister.

Posted at 12:58PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Hippo

18. When someone commits suicide their soul still remains tortured and probably still on the place it was on Earth. This crazy guy's tormented soul will spook Tom one night while he is grabbing a bite to eat in his Kitchen! be careful Tom his ghost might scare the living hell out of you one night since he probably died with you in mind......

Posted at 4:46PM on Sep 5th 2008 by suicidenottheanswer

19. He was known as The Sultan Of Sleaze.....not too many attending this funeral, I imagine.

Posted at 1:01PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Mae West

20. LMAO @ #12. Aww, you must have gotten lost. This isn't the "Freepers'" site, it's an entertainment site.
The Bush's have killed far more people than old Bill on a bad day.
This guy was a slime bag, I myself shall shed no tears over his demise.

Posted at 12:56PM on Sep 29th 2007 by lol

21. Naw, when people commit suicide their soul goes straight to hell. Everyone know this.

Posted at 12:59PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Cletus

22. SO WHAT?

Posted at 12:59PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Not P C , get over it

23. #12 so true. #17 you are dreaming dude. The Clinton's have done far more damage than any president.

Posted at 1:01PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Leeann

24. Right on 22.

Posted at 1:10PM on Sep 29th 2007 by TJ

25. well said Leeann. I couldnt agree more.
Andrea i wouldnt doubt ole Tom having him whacked.

Posted at 1:16PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Robyn

26. Shoot the Scientologists did it! They are a crazy wacked out bunch and he was messing with their little gay money maker!

Posted at 5:28PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Billy Beans

27. Schmidt was also formerly involved in other deals with celeb's property according to this article.
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/Entertainment/EntertainmentNewsArticle.htm?src=e092906A.xml

Posted at 1:23PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Pffffft.

28. #12 and #22 are right. I have yet to hear of someone who worked for or knew the President dying suspiciously. #17: You are probably one ot those who think every death that has ever occurred in Iraq is Bush's fault, hence, the magic 600,000 people who have died because of Bush. Sure if you add up fatalities of every suicide bombing, hiccup, stroke, and heart attack that has occurred since we went over there. At least he hasn't been accused of rape either. Yes, this is off topic so I'll stop now.

Posted at 1:25PM on Sep 29th 2007 by annie

29. "Legalreader"

Thanks for proving once again that "crack don't smoke itself".

Posted at 1:30PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Derby

30. Scientology strikes. No wonder Katie is so sad, she doesn't know how to get out, she is scared Tom Cruise and Scientology will ruin her life if she gets out.

Posted at 1:38PM on Sep 29th 2007 by Juicy

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