Suffolk County N.Y. police determined that Julie-Ann Low had been slain by her boyfriend Guilio Romano who had then gone on to take his own life. Ms. Low’s will provided that Romano was to inherit her home in Westhampton N.Y. together with its contents. The petitioners moved by summary judgment to disqualify Romano’s estate on the grounds that he had killed Ms. Low before committing suicide.

Suffolk County Surrogate John Czygier ruled that the petitioners had made a prima facia showing that Romano had murdered Ms. Low and granted summary judgment as a matter of law disqualifying the estate

from receiving any benefit under the will. The Appellate Division, Second Department affirmed the surrogate’s decision. Matter of Julie-Ann Low (File No. 540/03) 2005 NY Slip Op 7685. Decided October 17,2005.