Controversial in life and death

Re “Vocal AIDS skeptic dies at 52,” Dec. 30

The death of HIV-positive AIDS skeptic Christine Maggiore from pneumonia at age 52 is not surprising, nor was the reported AIDS-related pneumonia death of her 3-year-old, HIV-positive, untreated daughter several years ago.

Pneumonia (specifically in the form caused by infection with Pneumocystis carinii) is the most common cause of death in untreated HIV infection. Maggiore’s notoriety was based on her firm belief that HIV does not cause AIDS.

According to The Times report, “No autopsy will be performed, unless requested by the family.” An autopsy would be crucial in determining whether Maggiore died of AIDS, and whether her fatal pneumonia was caused by AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

One would think that a woman who devoted her HIV-positive years to debunking the idea that HIV causes AIDS would want to prove to the world whether she did, or did not, die from AIDS. In view of the fact that she sued Los Angeles County last year, claiming that the coroner’s report of her daughter’s AIDS pneumonia death was erroneous, it is probable that an autopsy of Maggiore will be declined by her family.

An autopsy report proving that Maggiore died of AIDS would hardly be welcome news for people who are convinced that HIV does not cause AIDS.

Alan Cantwell MD

Hollywood

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I was shocked and saddened Tuesday to hear of the sudden death of my dear friend, Christine Maggiore.

Though the cause of Christine’s death is at this time unknown, there will be those quick to say that her death is conclusive evidence that HIV causes AIDS. I say it is just another distressing real-world example that the good really do die young.

Those of us who loved, admired and were inspired by Christine will honor her memory by continuing to ask the legitimate questions she posed and by telling our stories, which contradict the official story of the mainstream AIDS establishment.

David Fink

San Francisco