Narcisa Novack On Trial Soon for Ben Novack Jr.’s Murder

Ben Novack Jr., heir to the founder of Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Hotel, was found brutally murdered on July 12, 2009. At first, it looked like a rich couple’s marriage done wrong, and then a year later, Novack Jr.’s mother was murdered as well. In late February, the case ended up being a full blown family feud that now involves the extended families of husband and wife.

At issue is whether former stripper Narcisa Novack murdered her husband, and if she did, whether the Novack family fortune can be withheld from her and the daughter and grandsons she had from a previous marriage. Narcisa Novack’s trial for her husband’s murder is this month, and the disposition of the estate hinges on Florida’s slayer rule. It has not yet been decided in Florida whether the family of a person who is found guilty for murder can benefit. The concern is that that if the children get the money, they can use it to help their mother while she is in jail. Narcisa steadfastly denies any involvement in her husband’s murder.

Novack Jr.’s will leaves most of his estate to his wife and a small amount to her daughter and two teenage grandsons. All tangible properties also go to his wife, unless she dies before his mother, in which case the property goes to his mother.

See Hotel Heir’s Murder Sparks Miami Feud; Will Stripper Widow Inherit Slain Millionaire’s Loot, Estate of Denial, Mar. 31, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.