Shelley Lubben Cause of Death Update

There is an update in the matter of Shelley Lubben's cause of death in the early morning of Feb. 9, 2019.

I have not yet received the Tulare County Coroner's report, which details Ms. Lubben's overall physical health, blood alcohol level, and any other substances that were present in her system at the time of her passing, but the direct cause of death is cardiovascular failure via pulmonary embolism, causing cardiac arrest.

And contrary to the claims of conspiracy theorists, the coroner has determined that her death was neither a suicide nor a homicide.

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which supplies the blood to the lungs. PE is a general term referencing a series of diseases and clinical syndromes which are caused by various emboli (endogenous and exogenous) blocking the pulmonary arterial system, whose clinical symptoms are various.

Her family and associates say that Shelley Lubben had no known heart or lung problems. She was receiving medical care but had not been prescribed any medication to treat cardiovascular issues. She did suffer from gastric issues, and had been prescribed Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium), a proton pump inhibitor that blocks acid production in the stomach and is used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Shelley Lubben was only 50 years old; she was sleeping, not exerting herself -- what might have caused her sudden death?

Although her cause of death has been determined to have not been an overdose, as was originally stated by the 9-1-1 responders, long-time drug and/or alcohol abuse, and withdrawal, are likely elements.

Shelley had been hospitalized days earlier (on the night of Feb. 4) suffering from withdrawal.

Chronic alcohol abuse can cause alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), which can lead to congestive heart failure or pulmonary embolism.

ACM is a kind of disease that has typical hemodynamic change, symptoms, signs and imaging findings of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but its symptoms can be released or cured after 4-8 weeks of giving up drinking. If Shelley Lubben had stopped drinking, it was for far less time than that -- less than one week.

And alcohol abuse is also linked to DCM.

It should also be noted that pulmonary complications due to drug abuse are common.

Shelley Lubben (1968 - 2019)

Shelley Lubben, the controversial anti-porn crusader and founder of the Pink Cross Foundation was discovered dead on the morning of Feb. 9, in her cramped trailer in Lemon Cove, Calif. She was 50 years old.

After examining Shelley's remains, and inspecting the scene, 9-1-1 responders told the man who found her, and later informed Shelley's father and brother, that she had passed due to an apparent overdose.

Shortly after her death, the man who found her (who also made off with her Jeep and her iPhone), began peddling the story that Ms. Lubben had died of a stroke. This story has now been conclusively proven false. 

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in or on the surface of the brain ruptures. Mrs. Lubben did not die of a stroke.

There were three active restraining orders against Ms. Lubben at the time of her passing, a warrant was expected to be issued for her arrest in a criminal threat case, she was being sued by creditors, and had been named in a wrongful death action.

Lubben's scandal-plagued Pink Cross Foundation was shuttered in January 2016.

Shelley Lubben Dead at Age 50

Shelley Lubben obituary

Tulare County, CA -- Shelley Lubben, the controversial anti-porn crusader and founder of the Pink Cross Foundation was discovered dead Saturday morning, Feb. 9, of what 9-1-1 responders have called an apparent overdose. She was 50 years old.

Tulare County Sheriffs notified her parents via telephone shortly after arriving on the scene.

Shelley Lubben (1968-2019)

Mrs. Lubben had long claimed to be sober since the year 2000, saying that she had been miraculously cured of all her physical and mental infirmities after turning to God.

"He has completely restored me. I am totally free from drugs, alcohol, bad memories, mental illness, sexual trauma, guilt from the past, and everything from the old life. He even healed me from the non-curable disease herpes,” Shelley once proclaimed.

In reality, after falling off the wagon in 2005 and surrounding herself with enablers, she spiraled into a world of alcohol and prescription drug abuse which ravaged her body and mind.

On January 24, Ms. Lubben placed her 1974 Sierra Cabin Cruiser up for sale on craigslist, asking $3,500. In the description she noted, "There has been a lot of work on the boat and it's actually worth more but need to sell due to illness so am asking a much lower price than what I paid."

According to statements made in open court in Vista, Calif. on February 5, on the night previous Ms. Lubben was admitted to a hospital in San Diego for treatment of alcohol withdrawal. She returned to Tulare County after being discharged.

At the time of her death, Lubben resided in a Lemon Cove, Calif. trailer park. It was there that she was found unresponsive by a male friend who had thought she was sleeping.

He phoned 911 and began CPR, but when responders arrived they informed him that it was too late. Shelley Lubben was pronounced dead on the scene.

After examining Shelley's remains, and inspecting the scene, responders informed the friend, and later told Shelley's father and brother, that she had passed due to an apparent overdose. The Tulare County coroner will have the final word regarding the official cause of death.

There were three active restraining orders against Ms. Lubben at the time of her passing, a warrant was expected to be issued for her arrest in a criminal threat case, she was being sued by creditors, and had been named in a wrongful death action.

Lubben's scandal-plagued Pink Cross Foundation was shuttered in January 2016.

Shelley Lubben is survived by her parents; a younger sister and brother; two daughters; a grandson; and a boyfriend currently serving a California prison term for DUI hit-and-run Vehicular Manslaughter.

Ms. Lubben's eldest daughter Tiffany, a wedding photographer, passed away earlier in February, at age 30.

Shelley Lubben's remains were taken to the Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel. Ms. Lubben is to be cremated next week, and her ashes scattered. No obituary has been posted to the funeral home's website, and, at the request of her surviving daughters, no services are planned.

Please join me in praying that Shelley Lubben can now find the peace that eluded her in life, and that her victims can likewise find peace and relief.

Shelley Lubben's Ranch Home Burns to the Ground; Drug Lab Explosion Suspected Cause

Springville, Calif. -- At approximately 5:00 a.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018, an explosion and fireball ripped through the ranch home of disgraced anti-porn crusader Shelley Lubben, leaving its residential structures leveled and engulfed in flames.

Lubben, 49, who has resided at the so-called "Lubben Ranch" since 2015, was home at the time, but escaped without serious injury.

The blast came from the house with blacked-out windows connected to Lubben's. Two residents, a man and infant son, were airlifted from 45117 Balch Park Road near Highway 190 to a local hospital for treatment of severe burn injuries. The man's pregnant wife was listed as in "fair condition".

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office states that due to "the suspicious nature of the fire", detectives from the Marijuana Investigation Team were dispatched to the scene. Two butane canisters were discovered, and the suspected cause of the fire, still officially under investigation by the Tulare Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (TAGNET), is a drug lab explosion.

This detached garage is the only structure left standing

Last June, Lubben transferred the property to Sirjoe Carmona, a convicted drug offender from Visalia and Ivanhoe, Calif., but Lubben remained on the parcel as a tenant.  Rumors in Springville have been rampant for some time that marijuana was being cultivated illegally at the ranch.

The property was also placed back on the market recently.

Here are the incredible BEFORE and AFTER PHOTOS of Lubben's home

Only smoldering rubble remains of Shelley Lubben's home and belongings

Lubben's residence was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and they had to take a defensive position to keep the flames from spreading into the heavily wooded area.

Shelley Lubben has reportedly lost everything but her jeep, iPhone, and the pajamas she was wearing at the time of the blaze.

In the aftermath of the fire, multiple sources report, Shelley Lubben has confirmed that a drug lab was the cause of the disastrous blaze. 

However she also claimed that despite the owner's history of running an illegal grow operation, and the building's blacked-out windows, she had no idea whatsoever that a dangerous drug lab was operating yards from her bedroom until it exploded early Friday morning.

It remains to be seen whether the injured honey oil lab operators will implicate Lubben.

Video by Cristina Davies, ABC30

The Fresno Bee reports that Joe Rosa, a spokesman for the Tulare County Fire Department, said both fire and Tulare County Sheriff's investigators are on scene.

According to sheriff's spokeswoman Ashley Ritchie, butane canisters were found in the home, so authorities were investigating it as a place where a honey-oil lab might have been set up. Ritchie said detectives were working to get a search warrant so they could go inside the residence. 

Honey oil is manufactured with the used of butane, and powerful explosions can result when fumes from the gas come in contact with a flame source, such as a hot water heater. 

Authorities describe the injured persons at the home when the fire broke out as a 36-year-old male, listed in critical condition; his pregnant 25-year-old wife, in fair condition; and their 15-month-old baby boy, also in critical condition.

The three were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Fresno for treatment. The parents may face child endangerment charges, reports CBS47 News/YouCentralValley.com:

"The butane containers definitely indicate a honey oil lab," said Tulare Sheriff's Ashley Ritchie.

Anyone with more information regarding this investigation or a possible location of the suspect is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.

Honey oil

A butane hash "chef" packs a pipe with marijuana trimmings that will be used to make butane hash. (Genaro Molina / L.A. Times) 

Butane honey oil, or BHO, is a potent form of hashish (or hash), with a very high THC level.  

Since January 1, 2018, it is legal in California for adults age 21 and older to use, and possess up to eight (8) grams of, hashish, a.k.a. concentrated cannabis. However, possessing more than eight grams of concentrated cannabis is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six (6) months in county jail. 

Selling hashish is only legal in California if one possesses a state license to do so. Without such a license, possessing hashish with the intent to sell it is a crime, as is unlawfully selling it or transporting it for sale. 

The unlawful production of more than eight (8) grams of hashish is likewise a crime in California, and the penalty is up to six months in county jail under Health & Safety Code 11358 - cultivation of marijuana.

If one uses a toxic chemical -- such as butane -- to produce the cannabis resin, one may also be found guilty of chemical extraction of a controlled substance and face a fine of up to $50,000 and three, five or seven years in state prison.

>Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article205528709.html#storylink=cpy

The flames

The house fire represents just the latest dramatic event in the scandal-plagued life of Shelley Lubben.

Born Shelley Lynn Moore in Pasadena, Calif. in 1968, Lubben struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse since her teens, and often found herself in trouble with the law.  In 1986, at age 18, she was asked to leave home by her long-suffering parents, and found work as a stripper, prostitute and small-time con artist in the Los Angeles area.  Lubben has proudly referred to herself as a "hustler" and "professional liar" who could talk her way out of anything.

In 1988, she gave birth to a daughter she says was conceived via a prostitution act.

An admitted attention seeker, Lubben failed in her attempt to launch an acting career, then dabbled in pornography from 1993 - 94.

When porn stardom eluded her, and her drug and alcohol use spiraled out of control, she married Garrett Lubben.

In 2004, Lubben re-emerged as a Christian anti-porn/anti-sex work crusader, complete with a set of horror stories about her short time in the adult business that no one -- even the people she knew at the time -- had ever heard before. Similarly, her tales about her early life were eventually contradicted by evidence provided by family.

In 2008, she and Garrett founded Pink Cross Foundation, "a faith-based public charity dedicated to reaching out to adult industry workers offering emotional, financial and transitional support."

However PCF never yielded a roster of success stories; instead, the vast majority of the women who associated with Lubben later described her as a manipulator and abuser who was addled by wine and prescription pills, and who misused funds donated to help the women in her care.

Lubben surrounded herself with bizarre individuals with claims that were provably false, and anti-porn evangelists such as Donny Pauling, who was later unmasked as a serial child molester.

Shelley Lubben and Donny Pauling

Lubben also practiced her own strange and fanatical version of Christianity. She would later assert that Pink Cross Foundation was the true church.

She claimed to be the reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah, and allowed herself to be filmed praying with an 8-foot staff.

A lightning rod for criticism

On April 26, 2011, the married anti-porn activist attended a Porn Star Karaoke event in Burbank, Cailf., and was photographed smiling while having her surgically-enhanced breast signed by hirsute porn star Ron Jeremy outside the bar's toilet.

Lubben's outrageous behavior, obsessive self-promotion as an anti-porn advocate, trips to rehab centers and psych wards, and half-hearted attempts at therapy took a toll on her marriage and family.

In 2015, Garrett and Shelley placed their Bakersfield, Calif. McMansion up for sale and Shelley moved out to the country -- to Springville -- while Garrett remained in Bakersfield so that the couple's youngest daughter wouldn't have to change schools. 

Garrett's hope was that the new surroundings would help Shelley cut back on her immense daily alcohol and prescription drug consumption. However, when he came to visit, he found the residence littered with empty wine bottles, and additional pill containers. 

On Oct. 13, 2015, Garrett filed for a legal separation in Bakersfield. 

The following month, Shelley admitted to a months-long extra-marital affair with ranch employee Joe Valley.

On Christmas Eve 2015, she had Valley arrested on charges of rape and domestic battery, but later withdrew the rape allegation.

Just after the new year, with her face still swollen, Lubben announced the shuttering of Pink Cross Foundation.

On March 14, 2016 Garrett amended his petition to Dissolution of Marriage (divorce). 

Approximately one week after Garrett blocked calls and texts (which had vacillated between the two running themes of "let's work it out and be together" and "I'm gonna get you and make you pay!"), a disgruntled Shelley approached the Tulare Sheriffs on May 5, 2016, with an accusation that Garrett had attempted to bribe her.  Her "evidence" of felony bribery was a couple of iPhone video clips directed and filmed by Shelley on Halloween 2015 as part of the couple's separation/divorce negotiations.

However, in February 2017, following hysterical testimony from Shelley, Judge Michael B. Sheltzer ruled that the video clips did NOT show an attempt to bribe Mrs. Lubben and all charges were dismissed.

In July 2016, Garrett Lubben filed for a restraining order in Bakersfield, Calif. to protect himself and his children from Shelley.

All domestic violence charges against Garrett Lubben were dropped last month.

Lubben also filed multiple domestic violence charges against Joe Valley, who has spent every birthday in jail since becoming involved with Shelley Lubben.

Following each release, Valley moved back in to the Lubben Ranch. 

But in November of last year, he was arrested on the property after allegedly striking and killing a cyclist on the way home to the ranch, while intoxicated. 

Valley is currently being held on $145,000 bail as he awaits trial for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated, and fleeing the scene of the hit-and-run collision.

He is expected to plead guilty in Tulare County Superior Court on March 20. Valley faces 11 years in state prison.

Missing Puzzle Pieces Revealed in Final Chapters of 'The Devil and Shelley Lubben'

A special surprise guest helps bring the story of anti-porn charlatan Shelley Lubben full circle, as director Michael Whiteacre's documentary series concludes with episodes 5 and 6.



The Devil and Shelley Lubben: The End Is Nigh from Michael Whiteacre on Vimeo.

Stay tuned for more surprises in the startling conclusion of The Devil and Shelley Lubben in the upcoming episodes 5 & 6.

Beware These Shelley Lubben SCAM Fundraisers

Having cheated on her husband for the umpteenth time, shacked up with a homeless ranch-hand, pressed dubious criminal charges against both, alienated and abandoned her own family, and with no viable skills or sources of income to fund her hefty alcohol, weed and prescription drug diet, what's a self-described "hustler" and "con artist" like Shelley Lubben to do?

Answer: Try to work the rubes one more time via GoFundMe.

First, we have this fundraiser, created way back on January 27, 2015, entitled "Adult Con Outreach". The actual name of the event is "AdultCon", but in hindsight, Shelley's rendering of it is more true to her intentions.

Here's what Shelley says the money is needed for:

A quick side note: Lubben doesn't live in Santa Barbara, she lives out in the sticks of Springville, Calif., 210 miles away.

Now, I don't recall whether Lubben and her gang actually attended the 2015 AdultCon in Los Angeles, but if they did, they obviously didn't need this money to do so.  But regardless of whether they attended or not, seeing as how Pink Cross Foundation was officially shut down in February 2016 -- nine months ago at press time -- why the heck is this fundraiser still in place?

The good news is, potential donors seem to have asked themselves the same question; the page has only seen a $10 increase in the last nine months:

Now this second Lubben fundraising scam is my favorite, for it gives us another glimpse into the workings of her wine-soaked diabolical mind.

This one, far less successful than its predecessor, was created on May 12, 2015, which coincided with her move to a new property in Springville, Calif.  It was originally entitled "Shelley's Birthday Wish", and we previously reported on it here.

Well, two birthdays came and went; Pink Cross is, like the snows of yesteryear, gone from the face of the earth, and yet the fundraiser remains online.

Even better, Lubben has, in recent months, had to sell her own clothes and household items to make ends meet. And without an anti-porn operation to promote, how the hell could she be planning a trip to the UK? The only trip Shelley's likely to be going on anytime soon is one to the state penitentiary. And a months-long search of UK speaking gigs for the disgraced "rebel prophet" turned up nothing.

However, the most interesting part is this: whilst the fundraiser was originally posted by Lubben on behalf of Pink Cross Foundation, she has since altered it to read "on behalf of Garrett Lubben."

Garrett is her ex-husband, against whom she has pressed dubious legal charges and who sought a protective order against her. Mr. Lubben has gone on record to state in no uncertain terms that he and his daughters want no ties to Shelley whatsoever. In fact, he had no idea that his name was on this fundraiser until we informed him on November 21, 2016. In other words, "on behalf of Garrett Lubben" is another Shelley Lubben lie, and likely one meant to somehow ensnare her ex in more of her nonsensical schemes.

Once a con artist, always a con artist. That's our Shelley.

UPDATE -- Nov 26, 2016:

Both campaigns have been pulled from GoFundMe. The webpage for each now looks like this:

 

A source indicates that the monies collected will be returned to the donors.

Shelley Lubben Accused Current Boy-Toy Of Rape, Assault With Deadly Weapon

New details revealed in court documents

What effect will this case have on the curious DV charges she brought against her then-husband, Garrett?

Springville, Calif -- A lot of readers have been enquiring about Joe Valley, the luckless (and otherwise homeless) captive boyfriend of former anti-porn scamster and self-promoter par excellence, Shelley Lubben.

Frankly, I feel very sorry for this kid, and here's why:

Since breaking the news about the then-married Lubben's affair with Valley, which began in the summer of 2015, we've learned more about their tumultuous relationship.

First published pic of the star-crossed couple

As noted previously, on Christmas Eve 2015 (incidentally, also Valley's 26th birthday), the bleach-blonde Mrs. Robinson wanna-be dialed 911 about an attack at the Springville ranch property her husband had purchased.

The Tulare County sheriffs took Joe Valley into custody, and he was booked on early Christmas morning.

Valley, who had been living in his Jeep until Mrs. Lubben beckoned to join her atop the mountain, was unable to pay his bond, and remained in jail until trial. 

Presented here for the first time is the felony criminal complaint against Joseph Valley, which was filed by the District Attorney on December 29:

Now, rape and assault with a deadly weapon are no laughing matter. Yet, according to a spokesman for the Tulare County Superior Court, Valley was able to "plead to one count, while the others were dismissed." Surely DNA evidence would point to Valley. Did Lubben change her story?

His charge of domestic battery lowered to misdemeanor-level, Valley was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with credit for time served, given probation, and released on March 22, 2016.

By then, Lubben's husband, Garrett, had already refused her numerous pleas for a second chance, and filed for divorce... setting the stage for a Lubben-Valley reunion.

What does all this mean for the curious DV charges she brought against her then-husband, Garrett, then retracted under penalty of perjury, before attempting to retract her retraction?

More on this ongoing story, as Shelley Lubben's December 5, 2016 appearance on the witness stand looms.

Shelley Lubben Evades Restraining Order, Then Attempts To Steal Car With Accomplice Jan Villarubia

Bakersfield, Calif. -- In Kern County Superior Court, Tuesday morning, Judge Stephen D. Schuett declined to make permanent a Temporary Restraining Order requested by ex-husband Garrett Lubben and their daughters to protect them from Shelley Lubben.

The judge wanted compelling evidence of the clear physical threats to the petitioners and cared very little for any activity that occurred before June 9 of this year. That's the date of the couple's mandatory mediation and settlement conference. The two appeared amicable, in that they waived their mutual declarations of financial disclosure, and had been able to come up with up a binding Settlement Agreement. It would appear the court officers mistook their eagerness to be out of each other's lives (particularly Garrett's understandable enthusiasm to be rid of her) for cordial amicability.

Here is the report from the June 9 conference. (click on image to enlarge)

Because many of the (ongoing) events cited by Garrett took place before June 9, the evidence presented provided insufficient basis for the judge to grant a Permanent Restraining Order. 

Incidentally, here (for the first time anywhere) is the Lubbens' Divorce Settlement Agreement:

I've highlighted the section regarding their eldest daughter's 2015 Jeep Wrangler:

According to Garrett, he"gave her everything up there [in Springville] in the divorce" for a good reason: so that the and his girls could "start over with minimal memories remaining and zero spousal support."

Notice the document contains the clause:

Each party agrees to execute or deliver any instrument, furnish any information, or perform any other act reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this agreement without undue delay or expense.

This is important because 1) Shelley has taken no apparent steps to turn the Jeep over to Garrett and/or her own daughter via the California DMV and the loan company. (Their daughter drives it exclusively, and Garrett makes all the payments); and 2) approximately one hour after court let out, Shelley came to Garrett and the kids' house to confiscate Teresa’s Jeep from their driveway!

When asked for comment one day prior to the hearing, Mr. Lubben had replied:

My guess is Shelley will show up with a domestic violence advocate from Tulare County and make a plea to confiscate her daughter’s jeep that happens to be in her name.

He sure called it.  Knowing that Garrett had put down $20k + on the Jeep, Shelley Lubben was willing to fuck over her own daughter to sell it back and pocket the cash from its equity. 

So, Shelley called for a police escort to remove the Jeep which is in her name -- but neglected to inform them that, per the divorce settlement, the Jeep is Garrett's property. That's our Shelley.

Jan Villarubia, Shelley and their "shared daughter" Tiandra, who drove in from Las Vegas (yes, across state lines) to assist Shelley in her illegal plan. Shelley's 2015 Jeep Rubicon is parked behind them.

Garrett writes:

She had Jan Villarubia with her today who was eager to drive off with a $50,000 Jeep. [I'll bet... see here and here -- ed.] My girls were extremely scared and when I came home after being called, Shelley was standing on the sidewalk 2 doors down with 2 police cars and officers who read the divorce settlement and sent Shelley away. All new lows for her which we experienced at the Lubben Haus today.

Shelley's accomplice in attempted Grand Theft Auto, Jan Meza AKA Jan Villarubio

Over on Facebook, con artist Shelley was still plugging away for the rubes:

God is SOOOO good to me.... The judge just threw out the case. And here's the cool part, there was an empty broken chair there and it was the only one no one sat in and I was feeling nervous and the LORD said to me, "Don't worry Shelley I'm sitting right next to you." sniff sniff He is so good. Thank you for your prayers. They mean the WORLD to me. Maybe you can pray specifically for me to sell my ranch or that God would provide a way for me to have a good income since your prayers work so well!

LOL it always comes down to money for our Shelley, doesn't it?  Always has and always will.

New routes

The hearing today concluded with the judge insisting that if Garrett wanted to protect his minor child, then he would be well advised to use the child custody path, which does make a lot of sense in the long run, particularly in light of the blockbuster charges against Shelley that Garrett has already disclosed in writing under penalty of perjury.

This mess ain't over by a long shot.

UPDATE: I am informed that the day after Shelley failed to steal her daughter's Jeep, she called her daughter a "fucking bitch" at CarMax. Nice, huh?

Pink Cross Foundation 2015 Tax Returns Revealed

Official filings detail the collapse the unsustainable scam nonprofit

Analysis to come, but the returns pretty much speak for themselves.

California Return

Federal return

Thanks to Garrett Lubben for providing the returns.