The $50 Million Loophole: How California Law Could Let Nick Reiner Inherit From Rob and Michele Reiner — Even If He Killed Them

In 1975, a woman named Gloria Ladd killed her two teenage sons. Drugged them. Smothered them. She was charged with murder, pled insanity, and was committed to a state hospital. Then she inherited their money.

The California Court of Appeal ruled that an insanity verdict does not trigger the Slayer Statute — the law designed to prevent killers from profiting off their crimes. The statute requires proof of "intentional" killing. Insanity negates intent. Gloria Ladd inherited from the sons she murdered. That case, Estate of Ladd, is from 1979. It's still good law. It's never been overruled.

Now ap...