Teenager who allegedly stabbed Scientology member to death will remain in mental health facility

A teenage boy, who allegedly stabbed a Scientology to death in the church’s driveway, will continue to be held in a mental health facility.

A teenage boy charged over a stabbing attack at a Scientology centre in Sydney that left one church member dead will remain in a mental health facility, a court has ruled.

The 16-year-old is accused of murdering Taiwanese national Chih-Jen Yeh, 24, by stabbing him in the neck with a large kitchen knife while being escorted from the Church of Scientology’s Australian headquarters in Chatswood on the afternoon of January 3.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not appear at a Sydney children’s court today and his lawyer did not apply for his release.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on March 18.

The teenage boy is led away by police. Picture: 9 News

Mr Yeh died in the driveway of the $57 million Chatswood complex from “traumatic” stab wounds after he allegedly asked the teenage boy to leave last month.

A second man escorting the teenage boy down the road was also taken to hospital with minor cuts.

After Mr Yeh’s death, Scientology released a statement and said the 24-year-old was a “beloved” member of the congregation.

“This very unfortunate matter is in the hands of the police. We cannot make any further comment beyond the fact that the victim was a beloved member of our church,” it said in a statement.

“The church is providing the police with any assistance needed in their investigation.”

NSW Police at the Scientology headquarters after the double stabbing. Picture: Mick Tsikas

The headquarters for the church was officially opened in the leafy suburb of Chatswood in December 2016.

The day included a performance of Waltzing Matilda by Aussie singer and Scientology member Kate Ceberano.

The imposing building was described at the glitzy opening as “a cosmic alignment of universal factors” by the church’s global leader David Miscavige.

More than 100 Scientology members are reportedly bussed into the fancy building daily to study “Dianetics” (the church’s key teachings on the science of the mind), take courses in purification to rid them of “toxic residues” and attend “auditing” sessions costing thousands of dollars to help them overcome their past and ascend to a higher level of existence.

It is also known as Advanced Organisation Saint Hill Australia New Zealand Oceania, providing “advanced religious services” to Scientologists from across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region.

The centre is said to be its biggest spiritual centre outside the United States.