Unsolved mysteries about my Ma's death and effects.

[maveric]

Ma was found dead in her bedroom last week. A neighbor who'd been watching after her (a great lady), couldnt get her to answer her door or phone. She called Ma'a brother, my bloodsucking, megalomanic uncle came by and broke down the door and found her, with the neighbor lady.She was allready dead when they got there. Because of her health and age the medical examiner didnt do an autopsy and listed it as cardiac arrest.
Ma has been telling me for years that she had a safe-deposit box with the deed to the house, her diamonds and about $9000.00 in cash that she had been hiding from the IRS after her Ma died in 1993. Just two weeks ago she told me that the box was still active, but she kept a strong-box in her house with other effects, including the key to the safe deposit box. I got there and the box had been moved, no keys in it, and several empty cash envelopes. I went to the bank and they told me she closed the box in Sept, 2004. So I took it as she closed the box and kept her money and other effects in the strong box at home. All that I found there was page 2 of her death instructions, the deed, but nothing else. I went over her bank statements the bank gave me and there is noaccount of large cash deposits or withdrawls. She also had Mutual finds and annuities that she cashed out in Sept, 2004 adding up to about $24,000.00. Again, no account of the cash being deposited and nothing to show for it.
My Uncle has always worshipped money. He had my Ma sign over her interest of my Grandfathers business(Shell station, Salem Depot NH), in 1965. He made mega-bucks on that place over the years and because of the location sold it and made another bundle. Ma got NOTHING!
So there is abot $32,000.00 and several expensive diamonds unaccounted for. He denies even knowing about any of this but my brother and I think differently.
He's also been coming by the house and snooping around, asking questions and demanding that he let "His people" handle the sale of the house, etc... As executor of her estate I told him thanks but no thanks, I'd have my people handle this. He took offense to this and demanded we let him be involved. No way!
I hate this shit! His name is NOWHERE in the will. NOWHERE!_

[Dookus]

1. I'm very sorry about your Ma

and about this situation. I think you have little option but to call the police and tell them your suspicions.

[MissB]

2. I don't know if there is anything you can do

Other than keep him away.

I am very sorry for your loss.

[maveric]

6. We may have to hire a PI.

Those guys charge a bundle though.

[benburch]

3. This is a police matter.

Somebody has committed several felonies here, and you really must see to it that they get caught.

[maveric]

11. He's in "good" with the cops, via the Elks Club.

There's a good old boy system and a lot of quid-pro-quo shit going around.

[benburch]

14. Report the crime to the STATE cops then!

See if they will take it on.

[Nevernose]

19. Go to the DA, then

The Elk's Club doesn't usually hold as much water with them. At the very least, it couldn't hurt to try.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. I'm so sorry about your mother, and the situation that you find yourself

in...there's one in every family, but it's a shame that your uncle isn't thinking about your loss and your feelings, but thinking only of the money aspect of your mom's death. :hug:

[maveric]

7. A couple of years ago he made a bad real-estate investment and lost

a ton of money. Ma told me that we would come over to her house crying and talking suicide... I'm afraid he preyed on her sympathies and drained her for all she was worth. He's that type of guy.

[Wickerman]

5. That really sucks

he sounds like a real scumbag. Sorry for your loss and I would outline it all for the police. It merits looking into.

[SheilaT]

8. Please accept my sincere condolences

for the death of your mother.

Talk to the lawyer that drew up her will. It's possible he knows something useful.

I think the advice to contact the police is a good one.

You are right to refuse to let Uncle handle anything at this point. It's hard to know if he's taken anything, or if you can recover anything he did take, but hopefully the local police will help you out.

Good luck.

[maveric]

12. The lawyer is an old family friend who knows how my uncle is and

he doesntthink very highly of him nor does he trust him.

[babylonsister]

9. My condolences, maveric, to you and your brother.

Your uncle sounds suspect to me as well. I hope you can get this resolved.

[sui generis]

10. put a PI on him

find out whatever you can about him without breaking the law. This is kind of smelling and walking like a duck. If a random stranger stole it all, your uncle would certainly be grateful to know he had been eliminated as a suspect.

Also, go to the police and tell them you have reason to believe some of your mother's jewelry may have been illegally pawned. Most pawn shops these days have to keep very tight records of customers, and since you have reason to believe the jewelry may have been stolen you should be able to find the seller and shop.

Keep your eye on eBay for listings of her precious goods. Drop by your uncle's house some time unexpectedly and see if he has a new 600" plasma screen TV or truck.

Tell him directly what you think with other people around, and why if he didn't do it he nevertheless looks suspicious. If you don't confront him sooner or later and give him a chance to explain himself, he will just "get away" with it.

Finally, to gird your loins for this task: your mother would not have scrimped and put together what little she did, made whatever daily sacrifices and discipline required to amass 32,000 had she not wanted for her kids to have something as a result of her effort. She would be really disappointed to know that her brother had robbed her and you.

your uncle sounds like a republican.

[maveric]

13. Uncle is 70 and his trophy-wife is a 39 yr old gold digger.

She was also at the scene when they found Ma, and has been known for her love of expensive jewelery.

[On the Road]

15. There are Such Things as Fingerprints

If your uncle has denied ever handling the cash envelopes, his prints could be incriminating. Or somewhere else which he would only have touched if he had ransacked the safe.

A PI might be able to collect his prints surreptitiously in case they are nowhere to be found.

[maveric]

16. My brother has the envelopes with him in San Jose.

he just flew back yesterday and he's looking into a PI.

[shesemsmom]

17. I would call the police.

It sounds as if your Uncle is a theif. I'd let them handle it. Good luck

[maveric]

18. I dint think that the cops in Salem NH would give a shit. Unfortunately.

My uncle is connected with the cops as well as mob-guys.
Bastard!

[MidwestMomma]

20. I think a PI is your best bet

What's sad is that your uncle could have been bilking your mom for a long time. I wish the worse kind of hell on people who take advantage of family. Hope you catch him somehow.

If not, at least cherish the memories of your mom. Your scumbag uncle can never steal those away from you.

My condolences on your loss. Hang in there. :hug: