Wealthy Massachusetts family made major money moves days before mansion murder-suicide
A life insurance policy intended for a family's teenage daughter was switched shortly before her father shot her, his wife then himself in their Dover, Massachusetts mansion.
A lucrative life insurance policy intended for a couple's teenage daughter was switched days before her dad executed his family in a murder-suicide, the Boston Globe reported.
In the event of Teena Kamal's death, her husband, Rakesh "Rick" Kamal, would inherit $1.25 million, and their 18-year-old, Arianna, was the contingent.
On Dec. 24, the policy was changed. Rakesh and Arianna would split the inheritance, and Rakesh's brother, Manoj Kamal, became the contingent, according to the local newspaper.
Four days later, on Dec. 28, Rakesh, Teena and Arianna were found dead in their $4 million Dover, Massachusetts, mansion, and the district attorney said Rakesh carried out the murder-suicide.
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Since the Kamals' deaths, family members have uncovered Rakesh's massive debt that included a mortgage, six-figure loans from a family member and "ill-fated" business deals, the Boston Globe reported. Rakesh had previously worked as a software developer and entrepreneur, Boston 25 reported.
Now Rakesh's and Teena's families are fighting over the life insurance policy, according to The Globe.
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Manoj, Rakesh's brother, found the family dead in their home in Dover, a suburb of Boston. He has filed a claim to receive the payout.
But he was opposed by Teena's brother – Sandeep Bedi – who had "concerns," and asked the courts to intervene, the Boston Globe reported.
On top of the tragic deaths, a family feud over money appears headed for a lengthy court battle.
J. Michael Young, a Texas-based lawyer whose focus is life insurance, told The Globe this is "not uncommon."
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"This is salacious and heartbreaking, but this is not uncommon," he told the newspaper. "Anytime you get a million dollars up in the air, it’s not uncommon to see battles."
The Globe interviewed George Thompson, an insurance claims lawyer, who laid out the likely arguments by each side.
Manoj will likely argue he's the beneficiary, and refer to the official documentation.
That will have to be weighed against Teena's family already setting up their counterpunch with an affidavit filed in probate court that says Rakesh borrowed a "substantial" amount of money from his brother, The Globe reported.
Thompson said they will likely argue Teena's signature was forged, and point to the affidavit and the timing of the deaths and the life insurance change.
