Estate of Chiesi v. First Citizens Bank, N.A.

SHEPARD, Chief Justice.

When one spouse kills another, where do the life insurance proceeds go? The trial court and the Court of Appeals correctly held that they go to the estate of the deceased.

David Chiesi owned two life insurance policies on which his wife Linda Chiesi was the sole beneficiary. David Chiesi died on February 11, 1990, at the hands of his wife, who was later convicted for the murder. Chiesi left three heirs at law: his wife Linda, his daughter Kimberly A. Chiesi, an adult, and his minor son Christopher M. Chiesi.

The insurance companies which issued the policies paid the…