Jeanette Page v. Ann H. Miller
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2002-CA-00231-SCT
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF
BYRON KEITH MILLER, DECEASED,
KENNETH MILLER, ADMINISTRATOR:
JEANETTE PAGE, ADMINISTRATRIX
OF THE ESTATE OF MARTHA
JEANETTE PAGE MILLER
v.
ANN H. MILLER, GUARDIAN
OF THE ESTATE OF
HUNTER KEITH MILLER
DATE OF JUDGMENT:
TRIAL JUDGE:
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
NATURE OF THE CASE:
DISPOSITION:
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
1/23/2002
HON. JAMES H. C. THOMAS, JR.
LAMAR COUNTY CHANCERY COURT
SHEILA HAVARD SMALLWOOD
GLENN LOUIS WHITE
LEIGH KENNINGTON BERRY
CIVIL - WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES
AFFIRMED - 03/20/2003
BEFORE SMITH, P.J., AND WALLER AND COBB, JJ.
WALLER, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1.
This appeal involves the tragic murder/suicide of a husband and wife where the order of death
cannot be determined. On October 30, 1999, Byron Keith Miller shot his wife Martha Jeanette Page
Miller. Byron then shot himself shortly thereafter. Byron and Martha died from their gunshot wounds, but
the order of their deaths could not be determined. They had no children together, but Byron had a sixyear-old son, Hunter Keith Miller, by his ex-wife Ann Miller.
¶2.
On December 1, 1999, Kenneth Miller, Byron's father, was appointed administrator of Byron's
estate. Jeanette Page, Martha's mother and administratrix of her estate, filed a petition on April 26, 2000,
to determine heirship of Byron. Jeanette asserted that Martha's estate should be recognized as an heir at
law to Byron's estate thereby entitling it to a child's share. See Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-7 (1994).
Jeanette reasoned that since Byron killed Martha, Byron was deemed to have predeceased Martha by
virtue of Mississippi's slayer statute, Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-25 (1994), which would allow Martha's
estate to inherit from Byron's estate. Finding that Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-25 was inapplicable, the
learned chancellor entered judgment holding that Hunter Keith Miller was Byron's sole heir at law.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶3.
We will not disturb a chancellor's findings unless manifestly wrong, clearly erroneous, or an
erroneous legal standard was applied. In re Estate of Smith, 827 So. 2d 673, 675 (Miss. 2002);
Miller v. Pannell, 815 So. 2d 1117, 1119 (Miss. 2002); Morris v. Morris, 804 So. 2d 1025, 1027
(Miss. 2002).
2
DISCUSSION
I.
¶4.
WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED IN
FINDING THAT THE SLAYER'S STATUTE, MISS.
CODE ANN. § 91-1-25, DID NOT PROVIDE THAT
THE ESTATE OF MARTHA JEANETTE PAGE
MILLER COULD BE RECOGNIZED AS AN HEIR
OF BYRON KEITH MILLER.
Under the Mississippi slayer's statute, a slayer cannot inherit from the victim and is deemed to have
predeceased his victim for succession purposes:
If any person wilfully cause or procure the death of another in any way, he
shall not inherit the property, real or personal, of each other; but the same
shall descend as if the person so causing or procuring the death had
predeceased the person whose death he perpetrated.
Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-25. Jeanette argues that since Byron is deemed to have predeceased Martha
under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-25, the order of death was established for purposes of distributing Byron's
estate by intestate succession. As a result, Martha's estate would be entitled to a child's share allowed to
a widow under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-7 (1994).
¶5.
We have held that one who wilfully causes the death of another is barred from participating in the
victim's estate. Genna v. Harrington, 254 So. 2d 525, 527 (Miss. 1971). We have not, however,
addressed the question of whether a victim's estate can participate in his slayer's estate. Slayer's statutes
are strictly construed and narrow in purpose:
Many states have enacted "slayer statutes" intended to prevent a
person who has feloniously caused the death of a decedent from inheriting
or receiving any part of the estate of that decedent. These statutes intend
to govern the inheritance rights of a claimant who has caused the death of
a decedent by a specific statute, rather than by general equitable
principles. The sole purpose of a "slayer statute" is to prevent
the slayer from benefitting from the death of the victim or
profiting from the wrongdoing.
3
26B C.J.S. Descent and Distribution § 57, at 362-63 (2001) (footnotes omitted & emphasis
added).
¶6.
For example, this strict construction was applied in Mothershed v. Schrimsher, 412 S.E.2d
123 (N.C. Ct. App. 1992), a murder/suicide case involving a similar slayer's statute where a son killed his
mother and each was the other's sole heir. The North Carolina Court of Appeals held that the victim was
not entitled to participate in the slayer's estate:
The Statute's plain language clearly bars the slayer from
participating in the victim's estate. Nowhere does the Statute
authorize the victim to participate in the slayer's estate. That
may or may not occur. The Statute does not indulge in the fiction that the
slayer's date of death is other than the actual date of death, but merely
establishes a presumption to exclude the slayer. Had the Statute been
enacted for the dual purpose of adjudicating slayer status and
for altering the intestate succession of both the slayer and
victim, it would have so stated.
Our reading of the Slayer Statute does not work an injustice in the
case at bar. Plaintiff argues that the coroner's report indicates that the
order of death is uncertain and survivorship will, therefore, be difficult to
prove. Survivorship is often difficult to prove but the Slayer Statute was
not enacted to ease this burden. The Statute is one of exclusion, not
of inclusion. When applicable, it acts to exclude a slayer from
participation in the victim's estate. It does not act to include the
victim in the slayer's estate due to the slayer's crime. This
would contradict the Statute's stated purpose.
412 S.E.2d at 125-26 (emphasis added & citations omitted). We find this resolution persuasive and adopt
the same in Mississippi. Martha's estate cannot be declared an heir to Byron's estate by virtue of Section
91-1-25.
II.
WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED IN
FAILING TO APPLY THE UNIFORM
SIMULTANEOUS DEATH LAW, MISS. CODE ANN.
§§ 91-3-1 TO -15 (1994).
4
¶7.
Jeanette next argues that the chancellor erred in failing to apply the provisions of the Uniform
Simultaneous Death Law (USDL), Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-3-1 to -15 (1994), because the death
certificates of Martha and Byron both indicate a time of death of 9:45 a.m. on October 30, 1999.
However, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Byron called his ex-wife Ann stating that he had shot Martha. At
approximately 10:03 a.m., Ann contacted the Lamar County Sheriff's Department, deputies of which
arrived at 10:12 a.m. to find both Martha and Byron dead. As will be explained, Jeanette is correct in her
assertion that the USDL applies; however, her interpretation that Miss. Code Ann. § 91-3-5 deems Martha
an heir to Byron's estate is incorrect.
¶8.
Though it was enacted in 1956, this is our first opportunity to apply and interpret the dictates of the
USDL. In adopting the USDL, the Mississippi Legislature recognized the need for consistent application
and stated that the statute "shall be so construed and interpreted as to effectuate its general purpose to
make uniform the law in those states which enact the Uniform Simultaneous Death Law." Miss. Code Ann.
§ 91-3-3. As such, we will rely on the jurisprudence of our sister states that have addressed the application
ofthe USDL. See Elizabeth T. Tsai, Annotation, Construction, Application, and Effect of Uniform
Simultaneous Death Act, 39 A.L.R.3d 1332 (1971).
¶9.
The main provision of the USDL states, "Where the title to property or the devolution thereof
depends on priority of death and there is no sufficient evidence that the persons have died otherwise than
simultaneously, the property of each person shall be disposed of as if he had survived, except as provided
otherwise in this chapter." Miss. Code Ann. § 91-3-5. Our analysis requires first a determination of
whether there is "sufficient evidence" Byron and Martha "died otherwise than simultaneously" and, if not,
the proper disposition under the USDL.
Sufficiency of Evidence of Order of Death
5
¶10.
Courts have consistently held that the burden of proof for "sufficient evidence" of survivorship is
a preponderance of the evidence. Fiumefreddo v. Scudder, 313 S.E.2d 683, 686 (Ga. 1984); In re
Estate of Moran, 395 N.E.2d 579, 581 (Ill. 1979); In re Estates of Perry, 40 P.3d 492, 493 (Okla.
Ct. App. 2001). For the USDL to apply, there must be a lack of sufficient evidence to prove that Martha
predeceased Byron, or vice-versa.
¶11.
In the instant case, there is insufficient proof to establish an order of death. While Ann testified that
Byron called her at approximately 10:00 a.m. and told her he had shot Martha, there is no evidence
confirming that she died before him. The fact that Byron shot Martha before he shot himself might lead one
to presume that she succumbed to her injuries prior to Byron succumbed to his; however, the USDL does
not allow presumptions of survivorship:
No presumptions as to survivorship as between persons killed in
a common disaster arise under the act, except possibly in the case of
death of a beneficiary and donor in a common disaster or in case of
beneficiaries in life or accident policies. Also, there is no presumption that
the deaths were simultaneous, although it has been stated that the act
creates a presumption that the persons died simultaneously. The burden
of proof is on the party whose claim depends on survivorship to establish
the fact.
25A C.J.S. Death § 16, at 179 (2002). There being no presumption in which we can indulge as to order
of death and no sufficient evidence indicating survivorship, the USDL governs the distribution of Byron's
estate.
Distribution Under the USDL
¶12.
Jeanette's interpretation of the Section 91-3-5 would deem Martha an heir at law of Byron's estate
and not exclude her. She cites no authority in support of such an interpretation. However, the chancellor
was correct in his finding that the USDL would eliminate both Byron and Martha as heirs to each other's
6
estate. As quoted above, if the USDL applies, "the property of each person shall be disposed of as if he
had survived . . . ." Miss. Code Ann. § 91-3-5.
¶13.
The Kansas Court of Appeals' decision in Estate of Schweizer v. Estate of Schweizer, 638
P.2d 378 (Kan. Ct. App. 1981), is illuminating as an example of the practical application of a simultaneous
death statute. In Schweizer, Roland and Nancy Schweizer were killed in an accident in which it was
impossible to determine the order of death. 638 P.2d at 379. The administratrix of Nancy's estate filed
a claim in Roland's estate for a spouse's share. Id. Affirming the trial court's conclusion that neither Nancy
nor her distributees had an interest in Roland's estate, the Court gave the following explanation of Kansas's
simultaneous death statute in action:
In this case, the estate of Mrs. Schweizer, because she is presumed to
have died before Mr. Schweizer, is not entitled to a share. Likewise, Mr.
Schweizer's estate is not entitled to any share of Mrs. Schweizer's estate,
because in her probate case she is presumed to have survived him.
Id. See In re Estate of Parisi, 765 N.E.2d 123, 127-28 (Ill. App. Ct. 2002) (stating "[e]ach
individual's property passes to that individual's relatives and not to the other person's relatives. . . Thus,
neither decedent inherits from the other."). See also In re Spatafora's Estate, 229 N.Y.S.2d 601
(N.Y. Surr. Ct. 1962). Byron's property was properly distributed as if he had survived Martha, meaning
in effect that, for purposes of distribution under the USDL, she predeceased him, thereby leaving Hunter
Keith Miller as Byron's sole heir at law.
III.
WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED IN
FAILING TO DETERMINE THAT EQUITY SHOULD
DECLARE MARTHA JEANETTE PAGE MILLER TO
BE BYRON KEITH MILLER'S SURVIVOR
THEREBY ENTITLING HER ESTATE TO AN
INTESTATE SHARE UNDER HIS ESTATE.
7
¶14.
Jeanette finally argues that the chancellor failed to determine that equity should declare Martha to
be Byron's survivor for succession purposes. However, she cites no authority in support of this position.
That aside, courts have consistently held that under the equitable doctrine that "equity follows the law,"
courts of equity cannot modify or ignore an unambiguous statutory principle in an effort to shape relief.
See, e.g., Dep't of Transp. v. Am. Ins. Co., 491 S.E.2d 328, 331 (Ga. 1997); Kuehl v. Eckhart,
608 N.W.2d 475, 477 (Iowa 2000); Guy Dean's Lake Shore Marina, Inc. v. Ramey, 518 N.W.2d
129, 133 (Neb. 1994); Mello v. Woodhouse, 872 P.2d 337, 341 (Nev. 1994); In re Estate of
Voeller, 534 N.W.2d 24, 26 (N.D. 1995). The slayer's statute does not allow a victim's estate to inherit
from the slayer's estate, and the USDL does not deem Martha an heir. This argument is without merit.
CONCLUSION
¶15.
We hold that the slayer's statute, Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-25, does not authorize Martha's estate
to participate in Byron's estate. We further hold the Uniform Simultaneous Death Law, Miss. Code Ann.
§§ 91-3-1 to -15, is applicable in this case given the lack of sufficient evidence to establish the order of
death. As such, the learned chancellor was correct in his conclusion that Hunter Keith Miller is the sole
heir at law of Byron Keith Miller, and the chancellor's judgment is affirmed.
¶16.
AFFIRMED.
PITTMAN, C.J., McRAE AND SMITH, P.JJ., COBB, DIAZ, CARLSON AND
GRAVES, JJ., CONCUR. EASLEY, J., DISSENTS WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN
OPINION.
8
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
