In Re Estate of Thomann

TERNUS, Justice.

Wilbur (Dean) Thomann murdered his wife, JoAnn Thomann, and then committed suicide. At the time of their deaths, the couple held farmland and some bank accounts in joint tenancy. This case involves a dispute between Dean’s heirs and the executor of JoAnn’s estate with respect to inheritance of this property. The district court ruled that all the joint tenancy property, including the farm, passed to JoAnn’s estate pursuant to Iowa’s felonious death statute, Iowa Code section 633.535 (1999).

Dean’s heirs appeal. Upon our review of the statute, we conclude section 633.535(2)…