LA County family law attorney Nadine Jett, 64, was diagnosed with cancer in August 2023. When she learned she would have to undergo chemotherapy, one of her foster children, Cedric Von Ferdinand, volunteered to move back into her Valley Center home. According to Stephan, it was not the caring act of a worried family member; instead, she said it was the first of a series of calculated moves to take over Jett’s finances.<\/p>\n
Not long after her treatment began, investigators say Von Ferdinand began telling friends and family that Jett’s prognosis was grim. He allegedly said his foster mother wanted to go to Mexico for a second opinion, and that when she died, she wanted to be cremated without a funeral service.<\/p>\n
On Jan. 14, 2024, Jett left a chemotherapy appointment and went home. Three days later, Von Ferdinand allegedly called Jett’s caretaker to tell them Jett had died. He also called Jett’s doctors and canceled all future appointments, Stephan said. When Jett’s other family members spoke with Von Ferdinand, he allegedly told them Jett had died in Mexico.<\/p>\n
“But, of course, they began to smell a rat,” Stephan said.<\/p>\n
Loved ones apparently pressed for a death certificate but none was produced. In June 2024, several of Jett’s foster children reported her missing. Not long after, they also reported suspicious real estate transactions, including Von Ferdinand’s attempts to take possession of all three of Jett’s residential properties, Stephan said.<\/p>\n
![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/sfgate_hearst_151\/922c78a28715d0d11f01b4034f6a4b3a.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez speaks to members of the media during a press conference to announce a murder charge against real estate fraud defendant Cedric von Ferdinand in connection with the death of Nadine Jett on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Luke Johnson\/San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Investigators said they learned Von Ferdinand had paid someone to dig a 6 foot by 6 foot hole on the Valley Center property, and when they excavated the yard, they located partially mummified remains in a makeshift grave. Stephan said Jett’s body had been wrapped in a bedsheet, and an autopsy found she’d died of a “massive overdose” of fentanyl. Stephan said the chemical makeup of the fentanyl indicated it was illegal, not manufactured in a pharmaceutical setting.<\/p>\n
As the investigation continued, a search warrant was served at Von Ferdinand’s Gardena home. There, Stephan said detectives found a marriage license for Jett and Von Ferdinand issued in May 2024, months after Jett is believed to have died. Stephan said a woman who is known to Von Ferdinand impersonated Jett to help him obtain the license.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 20, Von Ferdinand, 34, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, with two special circumstances of murder for financial gain and administering poison. He is also facing charges related to theft, forgery and filing false documents. He is not eligible for bail as he awaits his next court hearing.<\/p>\n
“This is one of the most despicable acts someone can commit against a mother figure who gave the best of herself to someone in need,” Stephan said at Wednesday’s press conference.<\/p>\n
![\"Tiffany](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/sfgate_hearst_151\/79d134e0f315ddc5854bd6b1fbbf7152.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Tiffany Lucci watches as San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan speaks during a press conference to announce a murder charge against real estate fraud defendant Cedric von Ferdinand in connection with the death of Nadine Jett on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Luke Johnson\/San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Also present at the press conference were two of Jett’s foster children, Tiffany and Bianca Lucci. The sisters are two of the four quadruplets that Jett took into her home when they were children.<\/p>\n
“She was that mom we needed,” Bianca Lucci said. “She gave us a fair chance at life.”<\/p>\n
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