Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh died without a will, family says

Tony Hseih, founder of Zappos, died from complication of smoke inhalation in a Connecticut house fire. Apparently, Hseih did not have a will when he died.

Hseih’s family filed court papers in Las Vegas asking a judge to make his father and brother special administrators to his estate. The family stated that they will need access to Hseih’s financial and social media records and also to connect with his lawyers. 

Hseih died Friday after being found unconscious in a burning shed in New London, Connecticut. The cause of the fire is still unknown. 

Hseih retired as CEO in August after leading Zappos for 20 years. He had just recently purchased the home in Connecticut for a woman named Rachael Brown, who was believed to be Hseih’s girlfriend. 

“A death certificate with the family’s filing says Hsieh died at 5 a.m. Friday and lists his occupation as entrepreneur and urban developer.” 

See Lia Eustachewich, Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh died without a will, family says, NY Post, December 3, 2020. 

Special thanks to Deborah Matthews (Virginia Estate Planning Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.