Estate of Ladd

Opinion

CHRISTIAN, J.

George F. Ladd, claimant to the heirship in the estates of James Noel Ladd and John Christopher Ladd, appeals from an order determining that Gloria B. Ladd (respondent) is the sole heir of both decedents.

Gloria Ladd killed her two teenaged sons, James and John. Appellant concedes that the motivation for the killings was that respondent was contemplating suicide and “didn’t want them upset by being homeless orphans and other trauma that goes with suicide.” Respondent was charged with murder (Pen. Code, § 187) and pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. A…