Estate of Ladd

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 judge sitting without a jury found her guilty of murder in the first degree, and insane at the time of the commission of the offense. Upon a further finding that respondent had not recovered her sanity, the court rendered judgment committing her to a state hospital for treatment. (See Pen. Code, § 1026.)

James and John died intestate. The administrator of their estates petitioned the court for an order determining heirship. (Prob. Code, § 1080.) The superior court determined that respondent is the sole heir to the estates of her two sons. (Prob. Code, § 225.) This appeal by a paternal uncle of James and…