Humor me and I'll give you some
pure speculation.
Hubbard was very physically ill on and off from about 1968 to his death in
1986 (ages 57 to 75). Much more so than most people his age. He suffered
from multiple bouts of pneumonia yearly at one time (admitted in a letter),
heart attacks, strokes, pancreatitis (taken to hospital in early '85 for a very
bad attack . . . could not walk by himself), among other things.
From age 64 on, he exhibited early signs of dementia or senility. I'm not a doctor
so I can't exactly describe it . . . but he had it. Something going on there. (From my
readings of afaceinthecrowd, cowboy, and others.) He suffered from an uncontrollable
temper and rages as he got older.
He wished to die in 1985 and attempted to take his life in November, so we're told.
In 1986, he volitionally withheld proper medical treatment at a hospital for a stroke
or two, so he would die.
My crazy speculation is that his pancreatitis attack could have just as easily been a
pancreatic cancer symptom and he knew the end was near. (Could have metastasized
to his brain too.) Consequently, there would be little reason not to drop the body a little
early. Also make sure no autopsy was done, lest it invalidated his tech, and that any
evidence was cremated immediately.
Oh, well. Unnecessary speculation, LOL.
What's done is done.