The mother of Julie Sulpizio, the woman accused of masterminding a deadly ambush that killed a Lake County deputy, is seeking to collect life insurance payouts for her two granddaughters who died during the incident.
Linda Jefferson, Sulpizio’s mother, has filed a claim with Gerber Life Insurance Company for a total of $50,000 from policies held on Cheyenne and Savannah, Sulpizio’s daughters. Investigators concluded that the girls died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds during the ambush last August.
Background of the Ambush
Julie Sulpizio is currently being held in jail awaiting trial for orchestrating the ambush at a home in the Eustis area. The incident began with a 911 call about a disturbance between Sulpizio and her neighbors. When law enforcement arrived, Sulpizio, her husband Michael, and their two daughters opened fire. The family members were reportedly heavily armed and prepared for the confrontation.
Incident Details
The ambush resulted in the death of Master Deputy Bradley Link and injuries to two other deputies. Investigators stated that Sulpizio’s husband, Michael, took his own life during the exchange. Court records indicate that within a month after the incident, Jefferson obtained power of attorney for Sulpizio and requested the insurance payout in September.
Legal Complications
Gerber Life Insurance Company has filed a court motion seeking an “interpleader” to determine whether Jefferson should receive the insurance payout. The company noted that Jefferson was never listed as a beneficiary on the girls’ policies. Furthermore, Florida’s “slaying statute” may legally prevent her from receiving the funds if she is found to be complicit in or responsible for the deaths.
The court’s decision on whether to grant the insurance payout remains pending. This case raises complex legal and ethical questions about the rights of family members to claim insurance benefits following violent incidents involving their relatives.
