March 6, 2009

Settlement Reached in AIDS Denialist Case

Robin Scovill, the husband of late HIV-positive AIDS denialist Christine Maggiore, has settled a lawsuit claiming that the Los Angeles County coroner’s office incorrectly determined the couple’s 3-year old daughter died of AIDS-related pneumonia, The Desert Sun reports.

Details of the settlement were not released.

According to the article, the lawsuit stemmed from the autopsy conducted following the 2005 death of the couple’s daughter, Eliza Jane Scovill. Maggiore and her husband claimed that the cause of death lacked sufficient medical evidence. They hired a toxicologist who concluded that the child died due to an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. However, the toxologist also served on an advisory group of Alive & Well AIDS Alternatives, a denialist group Maggiore had founded.

Maggiore—who contended that HIV does not cause AIDS—died of pneumonia last December at the age of 52.

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Previous Comments:

Robert, Chicago, 2009-03-22 03:06:56
Oh, and just for the record, I'm a firm believer in Western Medicine and I too am living proof that meds make a huge difference. My CD4 went over 500 for the first time in about 2 years and my VL remains undetectable and I know it's because of the meds. I guess I'm just playing the devil's advocate here. Do I think their denial has any merit, none whatsoever, but I do believe they have the right to believe what they want to believe and they lawfully made a choice for their daughter.

Robert, Chicago, 2009-03-22 03:01:37
I agree and believe that HIV is the virus that can beat our immune systems down to the point of succumbing to some AIDS related OI, but right or wrong, we have a choice in this country. I know this isn't a religious matter as with certain sects and medical care, but I had a friend pass away because he didn't believe(or want to believe)that HIV was at the root of this pandemic and instead grew mushrooms in the back of his closet that was going to cure him. Hey, it was his choice.

Ben, Daytona Beach, FL, 2009-03-10 12:37:45
I have been HIV+ since 1987, 22 years, without any type of OI. I am on Kaletra monotherapy, PCR below 75, CD4 over 800. No idea where I would be if I had not started therapy in 1990 with AZT (Zidovudine). I believe HIV is the precursor to AIDS.

Connie, , 2009-03-10 11:26:33
I can't believe that anyone would give these fruits any money for killing their child! This just makes these types of people stronger in their convictions. I know from personal experience tested positive for HIV in 86 Diagnosed with AIDS in 92 and two months after starting HAART was given less than 6 months to live. My life was one huge illness and constant IV's. Meds saved my life (literally) and today I am happy to have an immune system that is in Normal range!

Steve Kerbow, Houston TX, 2009-03-10 11:05:13
This sounds exactly like a CSI NY episode (repeat) that I saw last night. How tragic for the three year old daughter.

Donald Baxter, Iowa City, 2009-03-10 10:38:45
It's too bad that denialists have been allowed to sap the public till in this lawsuit; I just hope they didn't extort too much money--it's often just easier and financially prudent to settle rather than defend.

David, Atlanta, 2009-03-10 10:33:18
This case is profoundly sad and disturbing. Either the child died of pneumonia or she did not. She died of an allergic reaction or she did not. This is basic medical science. And who is the father going to sue now that his wife is dead?

douglas houghton, miami beach florida, 2009-03-09 19:29:17
Those people are (were) sick in the head; their actions constitute child abuse. As the non-biological "parent" of a healthy 17 year old HIV positive child (on HAART) and as a health care professional, I am well aware of the benefits of appropriate therapy. Denying science does not make it go away. Giving one penny of public money to such crazies is a travesty.